Princess Haya bags top sports award

Shaikh Mohammed, Princess Haya and Shaikh Hamdan with other shaikhs and dignitaries during the presentation of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award.

Princess Haya bint Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was honoured with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award on Wednesday night in Dubai as the 'Local Sportsperson of 2015' for her efforts during her presidency of the International Equestrian Federation.
Princess Haya helped develop the progress of work in the Federation to establish an independent and efficient refereeing system. She also established the FEI's Solidarity Programme in keeping with the Olympic Solidarity Programme to boost equestrian sports in the world.
Also honoured at the Awards night were Prince Nawaf bin Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Arab Sportsperson) for his initiatives to boost sports in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world in general, through several moves launched during his tenure as head of the Youth Welfare Ministry in his country, the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, the Union of the Arab National Olympic Committee, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, the Union of the Arab Football Associations and the Paralympic Committee of Saudi Arabia.
In addition to these designations, he is also a former member of the International Olympic Committee, the International Relations Committee of the IOC and the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation.
Seven-year old UAE karting sensation Rashid Al Dhaheri was one of the selected sportspersons coming in the 'Local Young Athlete' category.
The award recognised Rashid's exceptional achievements over the past year despite his young age. Rashid started 2015 by blowing away the competition and winning the International Dubai O-Plate, for a second year in a row, setting the fastest lap time ever recorded by a 'Bambino' at the Dubai Kartdrome circuit.
Rashid continued his run of form on the International Karting scene in Italy where he won back to back races at the Championkart Parolin Championship, in Lonato, Sienna and Adria. This was made all the more remarkable by the fact that Rashid was the youngest driver in his category by a significant margin.
So young in fact, that he missed the first race of the season (losing out on valuable points) because he was too young to compete. Despite this Rashid still came second overall in the Championship. Over the last three years Rashid has grown in confidence and skill, competing in 51 races locally and internationally, clocking up an impressive 21 wins amongst 38 podium finishes.
Rashid's father, Ali A Dhaheri said: "We could not be more proud of Rashid for winning this award. It was a great honour even to be nominated. I would like to thank everyone for contributing to Rashid's success on and off the track and to everyone who voted for him. We are now looking forward to repeating his success in 2016."
Shaikh Mohammed and Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, shaikhs and dignitaries attended the seventh edition of the Award.
Shaikh Hamdan, also the patron of the award welcomed the award winners and dignitaries from abroad. "You are welcome in a state that deals with creativity and innovation as a policy of work. We evaluate the value of creative work and the status of creative persons. As we celebrate with our Arab and other countries, the 10th anniversary of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we also take this opportunity to congratulate all of you for winning this pioneering award, which has become a dream for athletes and sports entities from all over the world. The Award has been launched as per the vision and thought of the leader and creative person himself - His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum."
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