London: UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Abdul Rahman Ganem Al Mutaiwee, has saluted the crucial contribution of the Al Maktoum Family in driving forward bilateral relations between the UAE and UK through the sport of horse racing, in particular.
Highlighting the positive effect of the long-standing relationship between the two countries Al Mutaiwee said on Thursday: “I believe that the investments that have been made by the Al Maktoum Family towards promoting and developing horse racing has never been stronger than it is right now.
“Besides historical and cultural links, the two countries share a dynamic and common passion for horse racing, which I believe has contributed significantly in benefiting the community in the UK.”
The clear message was sent out during a press conference staged at his office in South Kensington, and in connection with Sunday’s Dubai International Arabian Races (DIAR) at Newbury Racecourse, the most-prestigious and richest Arabian race meeting staged annually in the UK since 1982.
“Imagine how many horses and stables owned by the Al Maktoum Family are based in the UK and as a result the numerous job opportunities that they offer, not only through direct services but also through logistics that they create,” he pointed out.
“Dubai became a major player in the world of horse racing in the eighties and events like the Dubai International Arabian Races help bring Dubai, and the UAE, into the spotlight and within the communities in which we live in over here.
“I consider the Arabian races as one of the biggest events Dubai stages in the UK and this is thanks in the main to the passion and commitment of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
“This event gives us the continuity and sustainability that is mirrored by the thousands of Emiratis, who come to the UK each year as tourists or to study at the world class academic institutions. We must also remember that over 100,000 British citizens live and work in the UAE while 1,000,000 British tourists travel to the UAE each year as well.”
Al Mutaiwee, who was appointed UAE Ambassador to the UK in 2009, is himself a huge patron of horse racing and is regularly seen at all the major horse racing events in the country.
“The Dubai International Arabian Races are a very important event for the UAE Embassy in London, and we must work harder to invite and encourage more people to attend the event,” he said. “For us it is important to support initiatives like these as it helps promote Dubai, and the UAE at the highest level.
“No doubt it also has its place on the sporting and social calendar and is an event that is much-anticipated by the community.
“We should not ignore the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.”
Al Mutaiwee said there was so much to look forward to with Dubai preparing to host the World Expo in 2020 and believes that the UK can play a major role with their know-how of staging mega events.