The historic Dalma Racing Festival kicks off tomorrow.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the eighth edition of the Dalma Historical Race Festival will kick off tomorrow, Friday. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the festival will conclude on June 1 on Dalma Island in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Marine Sports Federation and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, emphasized that the launch of the eighth edition of the historic Dalma Race Festival reflects the event's established status as a pillar of heritage and sporting events in the UAE and the region.

He said that the Dalma Race has become a maritime epic that pulsates with the spirit of authentic Emirati heritage, bringing to the fore the stories of glory lived by our ancestors on the shores of the sea, drawing from them the deeply rooted values ​​of patience, determination, and belonging.

He added, "The festival comes in a new form every year, with the race starting from the historic island of Dalma to Al Mughirah, a route that reflects our ambition for continuous development and carries within it rich messages about the spirit of challenge and community cohesion."

He noted that the eighth edition of the Dalma Historical Festival is being organized in close cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. He emphasized that this coordination reflects a successful model of unifying efforts to deliver the event to the highest organizational and technical standards, in a manner befitting the event's stature at the local and international levels.

He pointed out that traditional and modern marine sports reinforce the UAE's "Year of Community" initiatives, under the slogan "Hand in Hand," by emphasizing the importance of teamwork and positive competition, contributing to societal progress, and supporting the cultural diversity of Emirati society, in line with national identity and rich maritime history.

For his part, His Excellency Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, praised the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, of the historic Dalma Race Festival, his constant follow-up, his directives to develop its competitions and activities, and his ongoing support for its events to achieve the sustainability of maritime heritage and support traditional and modern marine sports in the UAE. He affirmed that this support constitutes an incentive for all participants and supporters to achieve achievements and successes.

His Excellency said that since its inception, the festival has played a significant role in preserving and protecting the UAE's heritage, including sporting activities, traditional maritime crafts, and races that introduce new generations to the past of their ancestors and shed light on the nature of their lives, thus contributing to the consolidation of national identity in their souls. He affirmed his confidence in the festival's eighth edition achieving its set goals, pointing out that the festival represents a distinctive mark that demonstrates the Emirate of Abu Dhabi's efforts to promote the UAE's rich cultural heritage, especially its maritime heritage and its deep-rooted traditions that Emiratis have preserved throughout the generations.

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership for its continued support for reviving traditional sports.

Al Awani said: "Based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Council's vision and objectives, we continue to harness all capabilities and efforts to ensure the success of this distinguished heritage event, in cooperation with various government and private entities. This reflects our commitment to preserving cultural heritage and national identity, and reviving and preserving traditional sports."

He emphasized that this event represents an ideal platform for strengthening community bonds through heritage and sporting events that celebrate the history of our forefathers. Its organization is in line with the Year of Community initiative, which seeks to strengthen community cohesion, consolidate national identity, and encourage active participation among various segments of society.

The festival's total prize money amounts to more than AED 33 million, allocated to 49 competitions. The most prominent of these is the historic 60-foot Dalma Dhow Race, the longest race in its category, covering a distance of 68 nautical miles (125 kilometers), with prizes totaling approximately AED 30 million.