24 March 2016, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award for 2015 in the field of sports for the second year in a row at the annual awards function.
H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs attended the 9th annual ceremony to distribute the grant of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of AED 17.6 million to the sports achievers for the year 2015.
In attendance also were H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Chairman of the General Authority of Youth and Sports, Sheikhs, senior officials and heads of national sports associations.
Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) received the prestigious award from HH Sheikh Mansoor on behalf of the Festival.
“This is a great accolade for the Festival. Being recognized by the UAE Government is a great reflection that we are on the right path in promoting both equestrian sport as well as the culture and heritage of the UAE,” she said. “All this has been possible only due to the support and direction of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Earlier Sheikh Mansoor announced that HH. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai as the Sports Personality of the Year in appreciation of his pioneering role in the advancement of the Emirati sports and for winning the gold medal of the World Endurance Championship in France 2014 and the Royal Windsor 120-KM ride in the UK. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum received the award on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Mansoor also announced the launch of the Emirates Sports Excellence Award.
In his opening speech, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan welcomed Sheikh Mansoor and thanked him for patronising the annual ceremony. He congratulated Sheikh Hamdan on the coveted title.
“I congratulate His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the well- deserved title. We are proud of him as a role model for the Emirati youth and for his strong belief in the importance of sports as a means for achieving happiness, success and fruitful interaction with the world.”
Sheikh Nahyan also congratulated the winners of this year’s edition of the award and urged them to continue their quest for success.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with and sponsored by Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.
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