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The 10-member UAE team was in Russia early this year to attend the Annual World Balloon conference where the issues related to safety and roles of hot air balloon sport were discussed.
There was constant support from Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who is the sponsor for the UAE Balloon team.
Abdul Rahman Naqi, the UAE Balloon manager told Khaleej Times, “Our team is working hard to prepare for the competition. We are not only the participating team representing the UAE but whole of the Middle East.”
“A hot air balloon is a vision of peace, floating effortlessly through the skies using only nature's power to decide its course,” said Abdulaziz Nasser, the captain of UAE Balloon, explaining his choice for this sport.
Three years ago Abdulaziz Nasser and Abdul Rahman Naqi founded UAE Balloon in Umm Al Qaiwain Emirate. The crew went on a world tour soon after the completion of their training in 2005,which was dedicated to the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The first Arab balloon was flown to Australia, UK, Russia, South Africa, Italy and Switzerland, where the UAE crew participated in the Chateau D'oex 28th International Hot Air Balloon Festival. “We won the first position in the Swiss festival,” said Captain Nasser.
The group organises various events and activities back home when not involved in balloon competitions or conferences It includes balloon training, passenger flights, seminars on balloon and aviation issues as well as video and slide shows on balloon meeting competitions and special flights.
During this conference the participants voted to hold 2007 meeting in UAE. “We expect about 50 participants from different countries to attend the event, which will be held in Abu Dhabi. To organise a balloon festival in the Emirates is our team's dream,” added Abdul Rahman Naqi.
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