Abu Dhabi : The Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Flat Racing Festival organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) will this year stage Purebred Arabian races globally for the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup starting in May next year.
Addressing a press conference, Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Communications Department at ADACH said the festival will kick off in May 2010. It will be held in seven racing centres, including the UAE, France, Netherlands and Germany.
"The launch of the festival is in appreciation of the great efforts exerted by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE. The festival will especially celebrate his internationally recognised achievements, in the maintenance of heritage and tradition, and the attention he paid to heritage sports, particularly in the equestrian field," Al Qubaisi said.
"The Bonyan International Investment Group is always ready to be part of any move to help preserve the country's culture and heritage and Purebred Arabian horse racing is an important element that needs to be promoted around the globe," Abdullah Atatreh, Bonyan Group chairman, said.
Lara Sawaya, Director of the festival said the second edition is expected to create a bigger impact and help more owners and trainers along with the fans to get acquainted with Purebred Arabian horses.
She also announced that the breeding stables of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, based in Normandy, France will henceforth be called the Al Wathba Stud Farm as per directions from Shaikh Mansour.
"The Al Wathba Stud Farm will once again be associated in promoting endurance rides in the UAE and Purebred Arabian horse races both here in the UAE and at a global level as per the directions of ... Shaikh Mansour," she said.
Mohammad Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), said, "The strategy of ADSC is to support all kinds of sports activities that will help preserve and consolidate our heritage and culture.
"ADSC's support to this festival stems from the important role this festival will play to reflect our heritage, culture, and the care provided to by the UAE to Purebred Arabian horses."
Fahad Al Ketbi of Sorouh Real Estate, said, "Through sponsoring various equestrian activities, Sorouh supports and promotes Arabic traditions and customs especially those related to Arabian horses.
"It is a great pleasure to be part of this unique event. Through such sponsorships of Purebred Arabian Horse races Sorouh can affirm its support of equestrian sports."
