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Five Qatari athletes will get a chance to rub shoulders with some of the world’s top kiteboarders, including course racing world champion Florian Gruber, at Pearl-Qatar’s Qanat Quartier Beach during November 10 to 15. |
The Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF) will host the 2014 Formula Kite Course Racing Asian Championship, in which five Qatari’s are going to take part. For the first time, kiteboarding is coming to the Gulf region as Doha will host the five-day inaugural championship under the auspices of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).
“Kiteboarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and this trend is reflected here on the shorelines of Qatar,” QSRF technical advisor for kitesurfing, Sarah Lord said, while addressing a press conference yesterday.
She said the local sailors are extremely lucky to be given the support from the federation to be able to achieve high-level training in kiteboarding. “It is with great pride that we will enter five Qatari athletes in the competition, who have been training hard to learn the tricky discipline of kiteboarding racing over the last year. We wish them every success in the championship and we are happy that they have the fantastic opportunity to compete against the best kiteboard racers in the world,” Lord said.
The Qatari squad includes Khalifa al-Misnad, Omar al-Hammadi, Bader al-Madani, Khalid Festook, and Alaa Festook. Since the initiative was taken two years ago, the QSRF now has 18 Qataris registered in the kiteboarding programme. Most recently, a training site has been established on the beach of Fuwairit, where all nationals are welcomed to participate in the sport.
Talking about kiteboarding scene in Doha, Lord said: “Being the host country to an international kiteboarding event, with the inclusion of five Qatari competitors, after only two years of starting the programme is a great indicator of how the sport is developing in the country.
“It was a delight to hear of the recognition of the sport by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), which prompted a decision to be made to develop this as a national sport. The sport has only just begun to develop in Qatar, with a high level of interest shown from our local people,” she said.
In total, up to 63 competitors (47 men and 16 women) from 26 countries will take part in 10 categories of the races. Although, this is an Asian Championship with QR 100,000 as prize money, the event is open to world, allowing all to compete under different age categories.
An Asian champion will be crowned, in addition to an open men’s and an open women’s fleet. The Pearl-Qatar with its picturesque views, advanced facilities and waterfront aspect has provided the ideal venue for this event, allowing the championship to be held at its beach.
Ateeq al-Khulaifi, General Manager of the Assets Management Department at The Pearl-Qatar, expressed his joy and pride in hosting the championship.
“We welcome this exciting new sport to our region and to The Pearl-Qatar. Qanat Quartier, where the competition will be held, offers a spectacular setting to all sorts of beach activities and water sports ensuring competitors and spectators both enjoy the championship,” he said.
The event is sanctioned by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), which has been working closely with the QSRF to ensure a successful event in Qatar. The Championship has 100 ranking points at stake, for which registration for all competitors and practice races start from 1pm on November 10. Apart from Gruber, the other prominent participants are Ladies 5X Kitesurf Race World Champion Stephanie Bridge of Great Britain and 3x Asian Course Racing Champion Narapichit Pudla.
For five days, the Championship will run from 9am to 4.30pm, with races ongoing, leading to the final being held on November 15.
The premises at The Qanat Quartier beach will be transformed to accommodate all event participants, with the provision of seating areas. Live commentary of races will be broadcast on the beach.