By Sports Reporter/Doha
The stage is set for the 47th World Military Sailing Championship (470 Class), which will be held in Doha for the first time from November 25th to 28th. Qatar’s Armed Forces are organising the event, which is open to both men and women, in collaboration with the Qatar Military Sports Association and the Qatar Sailing Federation.
Armed forces personnel from about 25 countries are taking part in the event which is being held under the auspices of the World Military Sports Council (CISM), a body representing 134 nations. The participating teams arrived yesterday at the Doha Marriot Hotel, which is the entry point for the championship. They then, along with officials, proceeded to do a recce of the racing area.
Commander of the Qatar Emiri Navy, Staff Major General Mohammed bin Nasser al-Mohannadi, who is also the chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, inspected the preparations for the event and was confident that it will out to be a successful one.
“I welcome all the participants and officials for the Championship, which we are very proud to host. All the necessary arrangements are in place. We also have made sure that safety procedures are in order and the medical team will be a disposal 24 hours till the event ends,” he said.
The Qatar Sailing Federation headed by Khalifa al-Suwaidi will provide the technical expertise while the Qatar Armed Forces are responsible for organising and managing the tournament. The hosts are providing boats to the sailors, with the Supreme Organising Committee entering into a contract with a leading company to supply 25 boats for the championship.
The Qatar team comprises of Warrant Officer Fahad Abdulla al-Malki, Sergeant Jassim al-Sulaiti and Staff Sergeant Walled Mahmoud al-Sharshani.
While the other nations will be fielding women sailors, only men would represent Qatar in the championship.
The hosts are one of the fancied team to finish on the podium. In the last year’s edition, held in Norway where 13 countries took part, Qatar finished third behind Ukraine and Norway. The recent results too augur well for the team, who are coached by Gasper Strahovnik. They finished first in the Netherlands, second in Croatia and third in Italy in the latest sailing meets. “We have a very young team but they have the ability to compete at the highest level. Qatar sailors have progressed well in the last year and I am sure they will but a good show here,” said al-Mohannadi.
The Championship will be flagged off tomorrow evening at the Katara Cultural Village by HE the Minister of the State for Defence Affairs Staff Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah. In total nine races will be held on three days, starting from Tuesday with Thursday being the rest day.
Officials inspect the racing area ahead of the 47th World Military Sailing Championship.
