Qatar to host Class One event

Adds another major event to its list after Lebanon steps back as hosts; Fujairah GP rescheduled

Qatar will add yet another major sporting event to its chart when they stage their first ever Class One Offshore Powerboat race, on October 11.

The final decision came on Thursday, after Lebanon stepped back from their bid to host the event for the second consecutive year. 

The inclusion of Qatar has also changed the schedule of the remaining series of the 2002 World Championship. As per the new changes, after round five in Izmir, Turkey, on September 27 followed by Qatar on October 11 and Dubai on October 18.

Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) and key organizer of the Middle East series, who shuttled between Dubai , Beirut and Qatar over the last two weeks to sort out the matter said: “The deadline to announce the Lebanese Grand Prix was August 15.

“And once we learned from the Lebanese organizers that they are not willing to host the event this year, we thought of approaching Qatar which has already announced the running of Class 2 and 3 World Championships next year.

“We knew that an offer to host Class One will be a great step for Qatar to get more involved with the UIM activities. And finally Sheikh Hassan bin Jaber Al Thani of Qatar Marine Sports Federation took the initiative and agreed with us to host the event on the proposed date.”

Hareb, accompanied by Victory Team’s Saeed Al Tayer, Alex Jacobs, Jamal Saleh bin Lahej and Pasquale Sesana from Class One Management Limited (COM), organizers of the 2002 World Championship, traveled to Qatar on Thursday to chalk out the exact date and schedule of the race.

Confirmation

In spite of giving them very little time, officials on Qatar agreed to take up the challenge and the dates were soon confirmed.

Hareb said: “The UIM was certainly looking for a new venue and they gave me the full responsibility of the Middle East races.

“Soon after the Oslo event, we knew that race in Lebanon might not happen this time as they were unable to rope in sponsors. So we talked about adding another venue in the Middle East leg with almost all the teams.

No difficulty

“And all of them supported the idea and gave us the green signal to go ahead. So it wasn’t all that difficult to include Qatar .”

Hareb elaborated the situation by saying: “To fit Qatar into the calendar, we asked Fujairah for a change in schedule. And we had the full support of everyone including His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, and rest of the team at the Fujairah International Marine Club.”

Re-scheduling the last three rounds like this will also make matters easyfor the participating teams, according to Hareb.

“The new schedule will give all the teams ample time to move their boats and crews to Qatar and then back to the UAE. After completing the Fujairah race, drivers can return to their respective countries if necessary while the rest of the team will get enough time to go to Qatar without hassle.

“It is a mammoth task for all the teams to get their boats and crew to each race venues. By changing the schedule conveniently, we made things easier for the teams.”

DIMC’S role

The DIMC will provide logistic and race organizing support, if requested by the Qatar Marine Sports Club. “As of now there is no request from the Qatar organizers for any help.

“But we are ready to give them any kind of support if required as we have enough experience in organizing such events,” said Hareb.

Fr the tiny Gulf state that is gearing to host the 2006 Asian Games, organizing a Class One race will be another feather in its cap.