Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Abu Dhabi Kingfish Championships will be held from December 2024 until April 2025, offering prizes of over Dh4.3 million. Organised in collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, the sporting and heritage event aims to preserve maritime traditions and regulate traditional fishing, reflecting the values of authenticity and sustainability.
The details of the competitions were unveiled during a press conference at Marina Hall in ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi recently, held as part of the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show. The event was attended by Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Acting Executive Director of Festivals and Events at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, Salem Rashid Al Rumaithi, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, and Suhail Al Arifi, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, along with media representatives and visitors of the exhibition.
Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei outlined the structure of the competition, which will feature four tournaments and 312 awards totalling Dh 4,3 million. These include the Al Dhafra Grand Kingfish Championship, which comprises two categories (General category and Women’s category) and Al Mugheira Kingfish Championship (Women only), both under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, in addition to the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship (with both General and Women’s categories), which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and finally the Yas Grand Kingfish Championship (General and Women’s categories) held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Marine Sports Federation and Chairman of the Board of Directors the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club.
Al Mazrouei highlighted the inclusivity of the Al Dhafra championship, which is open to men and women of all nationalities, while Al Mugheira tournament provides a platform exclusively for women, encouraging their active participation in preserving the traditional sport. He emphasised that the Al Mugheira Kingfish Championship is a significant addition to the region’s maritime competitions, aiming to enhance women’s involvement and promote broader engagement with its rich heritage.
Al Mazrouei affirmed that this initiative is part of the organising committee's efforts to promote diversity in fishing competitions, highlight the role of these events in showcasing Emirati maritime heritage, and expand female participation in such competitions, reflecting the cultural and sporting diversity that Abu Dhabi strives to uphold.
Salem Al Rumaithi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the wise leadership for their commitment to preserving heritage and their support for all heritage-related events and festivals, particularly those cantered on maritime traditions. He emphasised how this dedication plays a pivotal role in strengthening and perpetuating the values of heritage, ensuring its transmission to future generations in its full richness and detail. This effort not only preserves the legacy of the past but also integrates it into the present, serving as a guiding light for future endeavours.
Al Rumaithi stated that organising the Abu Dhabi Kingfish Championships contributes to the revival of marine heritage, underscores the significance of the UAE's maritime heritage, showcases the natural beauty of its islands, and positions Abu Dhabi as a premier destination for sports tourism.
He added that the championships aim to promote maritime safety in accordance with national laws and contribute to raising environmental awareness among various segments of society. Additionally, they seek to preserve traditional fishing as an integral part of the authentic maritime heritage and to revive the spirit of fair competition among anglers of all ages. He noted that these events provide a unique opportunity to encourage fishing enthusiasts from around the world to participate, further enhancing Abu Dhabi's position as a global destination for kingfish fishing.
Suhail Al Arifi described the championships as vital heritage sporting events that play a crucial role in preserving the UAE’s maritime heritage and strengthening its cultural identity.
He noted that these championships have garnered the attention and support of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Representative of the Ruler in the Al Dhafra Region, His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Marine Sports Federation and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club. This underscores their significant place on the sporting events calendar, he added.
He expressed hope that the competitions would be characterised by spirited and intense competition, cultivating a strong sense of sportsmanship while further embedding traditional sports among younger generations. Al Arifi concluded by highlighting the dual role of these championships in promoting heritage and supporting Abu Dhabi’s status as a prominent tourism destination.
