Midfa hails Sharjah GP’s 20 glorious years

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

Sharjah cemented its status as host as watersport fans in their hundreds saw another thrilling finish on the last lap of the race that produced arguably one of the most eagerly-anticipated title showdowns for many a season.

Sharjah celebrated its 20 glorious years of hosting the F1H2O World Championship, the watersport event which helps the emirate establish its reputation of emerging as a leading global destination that embraces various major events and activities throughout the year.

Saturday’s dramatic finish saw Team Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente retain his World Championship title, edging out Sweden’s Jonas Andersson on a countback after the Swede won the Grand Prix of Sharjah.

Hailing the successful two decades of racing at Sharjah’s picturesque Khalid Lagoon, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said: “The season-ending Sharjah Grand Prix is one of the most prominent and unique water sport events in the world, where the champions are decided.

“The World Championship Week which also includes UIM Aqua Bike Championship, highlights the emirate’s growing prominence in the sports sector, especially water sports. The event has been streamed lived globally in more than 20 countries. 85 racers from 30 different countries around the world competed in Sharjah.

“This underscores Sharjah’s 20 years of experience and its outstanding success in harnessing infrastructure resources and its tourism capabilities in order to support the global events and activities sector.

“Our success is thanks to the guidance of the emirate’s wise leadership, coupled with the efforts of various institutions and the authorities in the government and private sectors in promoting the emirate’s tourism and consolidating its position on the global tourism map,” Midfa added.

Sharjah is renowned throughout the Arab world for its commitment to art, culture and preserving the local heritage.

The 20th edition of the Sharjah World Championship Week was held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council.

“With our world-class festivals and events like the SWF, the Sharjah Light Festival and by being part of major international tourism and trade exhibitions, the Authority has been pursuing a long-term strategy to promote and showcase Sharjah’s offerings and its tourism and hospitality sectors at various levels,” said Midfa.

He emphasised that the success in organising an international event like the Sharjah Grand Prix greatly helps to showcase the Emirate’s suitability as a venue for more such international events.