On 22nd January 2016, the President of the Asian Rowing Federation, Wang Shi, attended the 1st round of the 2015-2016 United Arab Emirates Rowing Championships.
The Championships were held in Ras-Alkhaimah, 200 kilometers to the north of Dubai. President Wang Shi said he was very happy to see the popularization and development of rowing in UAE and other Gulf countries and stressed that ARF would support the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation in the same way as ARF has supported other members of the Asian Rowing Federation.
The Championships included ten categories. The 900 meter long course was located in the mangroves, Ras-Alkhaimah Bay. It was splendid rowing weather in the mangroves with the temperature at around 15oC. Registration to compete at the Championships was open to competitors all ages, and both genders from all clubs. Rowing athletes, regardless of whether they were professional or not, could register to compete. According to statistics, there were a total of 90 athletes that participated in this year’s competition. President Wang Shi, visiting the venue of the Championships, said that he did not expect the water environment at Ras-Alkhaimah to be this good and he hoped that the UAE Sailing And Rowing Federation could raise awareness of environmental protection, protect the local water and mangrove ecosystems while also promoting rowing.
The Championships attracted a large number of exceptional rowing enthusiasts at home and abroad. One such enthusiast is Mostafa Maha, from the Alhamriyaj sports club. She is not only a police officer at Dubai Airport, but also a mother to four children. Even though she has a busy schedule, she still tries her best to squeeze out the time to participate in training and competitions. This time she took part in four events, women’s single sculls, women’s double sculls and mixed quadruple sculls.
There were also Mr. Giancarlo and Ms. Nicole, father and daughter from Italy, both of who were current members of the Dubai rowing team. Such examples were not rare; local UAE rowing clubs had a considerable number of foreign members, especially at clubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There were also 6 open club teams and 10 police officer rowing teams from UAE taking part in the Championships.
Both the Chairman of UAE Sailing And Rowing Federation, Mr. Sheik Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan and the Chairman of UAE Rowing Committee, Mr. Aaref Al Haranki expressed their intent to host 2017 ARF regattas. The Director of Bahrain Rowing, Isa Yousi, told President Wang Shi the national rowing team of Bahrain was being formed and the NOC of Bahrain has already officially approved the formation. He also mentioned that he would bring the national rowing team of Bahrain to take part in the 2016 Asian and Oceania Olympic Qualification Regatta, which would be hosted from 23rd to 25th April 2016 in Chungju, Korea.
President Wang Shi stressed that the most vital thing in rowing is teamwork and rowing is a sport that can teach the importance of teamwork. It is also an activity that is suitable for people of all ages, regardless if you are a teenager or senior citizen. On the morning of 22nd January, shortly before the competition started, President Wang Shi completed a 1.5-hour rowing training session beside the mangroves. By doing so, practicing this great sport, he was promoting Asian Rowing and encouraging Gulf countries to be more active in participating in world and Asian rowing events.
President Wang Shi had group photos with athletes and coaches.
President Wang Shi completed a 1.5-hour rowing training session beside the mangroves.
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