Sharjah Celebrates 10 Years Of Successful Organization Of The F-1 Powerboat Championship

Sharjah Grand Prix 2009 kick off announced

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), organizers of the 2009 F1 Powerboat World Championship – Sharjah Grand Prix, held a press conference yesterday (Wednesday) at the Al Jawhara conference hall at the Sharjah Millennium Hotel ahead of the event, which will take place on 10 and 11 December at Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon.

In attendance at the conference were H.E. Mohamed A. Al Noman, SCTDA Director General and Head of the organizing committee for the Sharjah Grand Prix 2009 and the Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival, Mr. Nicolo di San Germano, UIM F1 promoter, and F1 drivers Thani Al Qamzi, Juido Cappellini, Jay Price, Jonas Anderson and Sami selio, as well as a number of representatives from the F1 International Association and the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club.

Al Noman opened the conference by expressing his excitement at Sharjah’s hosting the event for the tenth consecutive year, saying: “Only a few hours separate us from the long-awaited start of the 2009 Sharjah Grand Prix and the last two rounds of the F-1 Powerboat World Championships, where the world champion will be crowned here in Sharjah. Teams are working hard at the race sites to put on the final touches and prepare for the grand opening of this illustrious event.”

“As we begin the tenth run of the Sharjah Grand Prix, we would like to express our commitment to upholding the wise directives of H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and our appreciation for the kind support of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah,” he continued.

Al Noman stated that the success that Sharjah has achieved through the Sharjah Grand Prix has made the whole world look at the emirate with respect. He went on to say that SCTDA is committed to promoting for Sharjah on the local, regional and international levels by hosting the biggest sports and economic events. “The success of this strategy can be seen in the respect that Sharjah has achieved through its ongoing successful hosting of the Sharjah Grand Prix, which puts a smile on the faces of everyone who has worked hard to make this event the huge success it so obviously is.”

Al Noman moved on to talk about the history of the Championships’ history with the emirate of Sharjah, “Over the last nine years of hosting this event, Sharjah has come to be recognized as an outstanding host for the F-1 World Championships, and this success is just one step in our mission to promote Sharjah as a leading global tourism and cultural destination.”

He added “Every year the SCTDA works harder in order to produce a stunning F-1 Powerboat World Championship event, and the organization awards Sharjah has won push the emirate and the UAE to host new rounds of this prestigious event.”

Al Noman also expressed his confidence in the organizing committee ahead of the first race, saying: “We are confident that this year’s World Championship final will be another example of brilliant organization, and although our task is hard, we are committed to upholding our vision and Sharjah’s status as premier event destination.”

He went on to thank all who contributed to the success of the event, particularly government establishments in Sharjah that provided logistical and technical support to the race locations, the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club and H.E Nicolo Di San Germano, UIM F1 promoter.

Al Noman also praised the media and its role in promoting the tournament through constant media coverage of the races, and thanked the volunteers from government establishments and universities in Sharjah for their support of the event.

H.E Nicolo Di San Germano then took the stage and explained the role of sport and the F1 World Powerboat Championships in strengthening cultural and social bonds between different people, and removing underlying differences, saying: “Using sport as a universal language removes differences between people and encourages love, cooperation and friendship”.

“We are confident of Sharjah’s exceptional organizational ability ahead of this most important round of the Championship,” said Germano on Sharjah’s hosting of the event for the tenth-straight year. “This confidence is not without basis, but is rather the result of nine years of successful and outstanding organization.”

Germano commented that the F-1 World Championship contestants consider the emirate of Sharjah and the waters of Khalid Lagoon their favorite, so they are keen on being in the emirate to contest for the best ranks. He went on to say that Sharjah is facing a new challenge this year to achieve yet its best organization of the Championships after nine years of experience.

Germano concluded by congratulating Al Noman and his team for their excellent hospitality and event organization.

Sharjah has received numerous awards for its hosting of the event, which attracts tens of thousands of spectators every year, including “Best Event Organizer” awards for 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007, as well as a World Media Award in the best organizer category in 2001.
 

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