Dhow race to keep traditions alive in UAE

Ahmed Al Rumaithi, Aref Al Awani and other officials announce the launch of the Dhow Dalma Race in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The race will see 3,000 sailors taking part in 100 boats.- Supplied photo

With an aim to keep traditions alive, the Capital will organise a first-of-its-kind boat race in which the boats will resemble dhows used for pearl diving and fishing in the olden days.
The inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club's 60FT Dhow Dalma Race will be held next month, said Ahmed Thani Al Rumaithi, Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club chairman, on Tuesday.
"The government is supporting dhow races in the country. At 125km, this is one of the longest races by distance covering many islands. We need to teach everyone about our tradition," he said.
The race will start from Dalma Island and pass through Sir Bani Yas Island, Ghasha Island, Umm Al Kurkum Island, Al Fatayer Island, Al Bazam Island, Marawah Island, Jananah Island and end in Al Mirfa.
Al Rumaithi elaborated as to how the UAE and India are linked through seafaring roots. "In olden days, people used to go on such boats to catch pearl and fish. We used to get this type of boats from south India state of Kerala. The workers were from Kerala. There is a link between our culture and India as our people used to go to Kerala to sell pearls, buy products and boats. So there is another connection between our heritage and other nationalities."
Abu Dhabi Sports Council general secretary Aref Al Awani said the 125-km endurance race have very deep traditional aspects.
"Through the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club we learnt about the huge interest youth has towards this traditional sport. We want the younger and older generation to get interested to an important aspect of life here - being on the sea."
The race will see 3,000 sailors participating with 100 boats. The boats will be 60ft category and there will be private as well as some sponsored by sheikhs.
The boats have to follow the same specification of the traditional ones. The total prize money is Dh25 million, which will be divided among first 100 finishers.
The winner will get Dh1.5 million, second Dh1.1 million and third Dh900,000.
 To register for race
Registration for the race is open till April 6. The event preparation starts from April 20 and the main race will be on April 24. In case of bad weather, the race can start on April 27-May 1.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com