Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of Communications, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), the body that is behind the HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival said, "We thank H.H Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs for reviving the traditions of Arabian horse racing all over the globe. All this would not have been possible but for the vision and support of HH Sheikh Mansour".
"It is also a great honour for ADACH to be here in Frankfurt and stage a race when the Frankfurt racecourse is set to mark 150 years of racing," Al Qubaisi said.
"This year's series has been gaining a lot of exposure and the connections of Arabian horse racing in Europe are pleased with the progress so far," the ADACH official said.
Lara Sawaya, Director of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, also addressed the press conference and said, "This race will be live on Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and we are happy that racing fans in the UAE will get to watch some German racing. Fans will also be keen to follow the progress of the ‘Pick '&' Vote' competition in which they are already taking part".
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council, under whose umbrella most of the nig events in the emirate of Abu Dhabi are being staged, was represented by Talal Al Hashmi. The ADSC official said, "Under directives of HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ADSC is keen to support such events both in UAE and abroad as they help carry our culture and heritage far and wide". "I am excited to be here and watch Arabian horses take part in flat racing and I will all connections success on Sunday," Al Hashmi said.
Peter Schwierz, representing the Frankfurt racecourse said, "This venue marks 150 years of racing. With the Arabian race gaining in status this year we are expecting a fairly large crowd on Sunday. It will be one huge family affair and we are hoping that it will trigger fresh interest in Arabian racing in Germany".
Seven other races are also being held on Sunday, August 8 with the HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival's Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup race being the feature race.
The HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival's Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup race series is being organized by ADACH, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Wathba Stud Farm with support from Invest Abu Dhabi, Bonyan International Investment Group (Holding) LLC and Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2010. Emirates News Agency, WAM