Dubai: The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body for watersports and the breakaway World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) yesterday re-united after more than a year.
"With this new partnership we intend to sit around the same table and search for common areas of growth and add value to each other," UIM President Raffaele Chiulli said after signing the agreement with WPPA President Saeed Hareb.
Backed by a majority of the team owners and promoters IOTA, the WPPA was formed right here in December 2006 with the promise of taking Class One powerboat racing to a new level. The new body successfully conducted its first full season of eight rounds taking in three brand-new venues.
"I was witness to the high level of professionalism and expertise during one of the rounds [in Constanta, Romania]. And that is when I made a promise that we could not afford to lose such professionals from the sport," Chiulli said.
Immediate effect
The agreement, fondly termed a "long absence of one year" by the UIM president, comes into immediate effect and in time for the running of the 2008 World Class One season that kicks off with the Qatar Grand Prix on March 1.
As per the agreement, the WPPA will recognise the UIM as the sole world body for the control of the sport, while the UIM in turn, will recognise the professionalism of the existing body while giving them the exclusivity to manage and organise the world championships.
"There will be no change in our approach or the rules during the new season," said Hareb.
"We have come together because we have seen the openness and the keeness of the new UIM president in working for the greater good of the sport."
Chiulli was elected to the highest position in the world governing of watersports in November last year, after which he set out on the path of unification.
"These are professionals I have known for well over 20 years. How could we allow such valuable people to be lost to the sport?" Chiulli asked.
Confident
With the start being made with the organisation of the Class One calendar for this year, the UIM and WPPA were confident of scaling new frontiers by organising new series of races including the Class III six-litre championships.
"We are hopeful we will be able to broaden this agreement and find the motivation of being more accessible to the competitors," Chiulli promised.
