SHARJAH (ALETIHAD)
The battle for the UAE Heritage Shawaheef Championship title intensifies with the launch of the fifth and final round, set to take place as part of the Khorfakkan Marine Festival on Saturday, January 3.
The round is organised by the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, under the supervision of the UAE Marine Sports Federation, and sponsored by MAG Holding.
The championship heads into its finale with an open and fiercely contested race, following the close points gap after the first four rounds.
Competitor Aref Al-Zafin enters the final round at the top of the overall standings with 63 points, racing aboard boat Al-Mushakhas 33, alongside teammate Yousuf Al-Suboori.
His consistent performances and sharp race management have positioned him as the leading favourite to secure the title.
Hot on his heels is Mohammed Saeed Suhail, who continues to apply strong pressure in the title race.
He sits second with 62 points aboard the boat Hayaf, partnered with Ahmed Khamis, setting up a direct head-to-head showdown with Al-Zafin in a decisive final round that leaves no room for error.
Also in contention is skipper Mohammed Saeed Al-Seel, currently third with 53 points aboard Al-Mushakhas 20, alongside Majed Al-Khalaf and Ismail Al-Mazrouei.
Fourth place is held by Jassim Al-Dakhil with 50 points aboard Raheeb Al-Kuwaiti 7, partnered with Hussain Haidar Saber, reflecting the strong Gulf participation and the high technical standard of the championship.
Previous rounds have delivered high technical levels and extremely close competition, where fine margins and critical decisions by the skippers made the difference, keeping the title race wide open until the final round.
The organising committee confirmed that all organisational and technical preparations have been completed for the concluding round, ensuring a finale worthy of the stature of the Khorfakkan Marine Festival and highlighting the continued commitment to heritage marine sports and their role in preserving the UAE’s maritime identity.
The final round is expected to attract strong public interest, given the intensity of the competition and the narrow points gap, with anticipation building toward the decisive moment that will crown the season’s champion in an exciting and eagerly awaited finale.