Crowning the winners of the Union Day Heritage Rowing Boat Race
Abu Dhabi, 4 December / WAM / The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority organized the “Union Day Race for Traditional 40-foot Rowing Boats”, to celebrate the 54th Federation Day, with the participation of 1,156 sailors on board 68 boats competing for a distance of 3 nautical miles in four rounds bearing the colors of the UAE flag, amid a national and heritage atmosphere full of enthusiasm and pride.
The race started from Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, passing through the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum, until the finish line opposite the Louvre Abu Dhabi, in a scene that embodied the cohesion between the authenticity of heritage and the urban and cultural development witnessed by the country.
His Excellency Abdullah Mubarak Al Muhairi, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and Khalifa Rashid Al Rumaithi, Director of Heritage Sports Activities at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, crowned the winners of the race rounds, where the boat “Al Nasi” won first place, the boat “Zelzal 2” took second place, and the boat “Abu Al Abyad” came in third place.
In the second half, the boat “Wadi Sahm” won first place, the boat “Al-Diffa” came in second place, and the boat “Al-Reem” came in third place.
The results of the third half were that the boat “Julphar” won first place, the boat “Anad 3” came in second place, and the boat “Wadi Al-Siji” came in third place.
In the fourth round, the boat “KHK” took first place, while the boat “Oman” came in second, and in third place was the boat “Thuban”.
The total value of the race prizes amounted to more than 2.4 million dirhams, with the first winner in each round receiving a financial prize of 80,000 dirhams in addition to a golden boat model, while the second place holder received 70,000 dirhams and a silver boat model, and the third place winner received 60,000 dirhams and a bronze boat model, and the cash prizes were distributed to the rest of the centers in succession.
Zayed Sari Al Mazrouei, Acting Director of the Heritage and Marine Festivals Department at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, stressed that the Union Day Heritage Rowing Boat Race, which comes within the framework of the celebrations of the country’s 54th Union Day, is more than just a sports marine competition, as it represents a heritage and community event that reflects the UAE society’s connection to its ancient maritime history and heritage.
He pointed out that the race reflects the connection of the past with the present, and embodies the spirit of union and its meanings through solidarity and synergy among sailors, as it establishes the values of teamwork, discipline, endurance and leadership, which are solid values that contributed to building society and strengthening its cohesion, expressing the Authority’s pride in organizing such events that preserve the heritage of the sea, and enhance belonging and national identity, especially among the youth group, considering that maritime heritage is an integral part of the components of the Emirati identity.
The organization of the race came within the framework of the Authority’s constant keenness to revive the Emirati maritime heritage and introduce and preserve its ancient heritage. The race brings together veteran sailors and young people, which contributes to communication between generations and the transfer of experiences and knowledge. It also highlights the pivotal role of the sea in the life and history of Emirati society.
Heritage marine races, especially on national occasions, represent an opportunity to enhance the values of cooperation, collective spirit, and determination rooted in the fabric of society, and bring together its various groups in one celebratory framework, strengthening social ties and uniting everyone in joint national events.
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