Sheikh Khalifa, the driving force in nation's glorious sporting triumphs

The late President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Ismail Matar, the star of the UAE’s 2007 Gulf Cup-winning team. (File) The late President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will always be remembered by the sporting world as a towering and inspirational figure who embodied dignity and grace in everything he did. Sheikh Khalifa was loved across the UAE and his contribution to sports like horse racing and football, in particular, will live on forever. History will remember him as the principal patron of the UAE President’s Cup World Series for Purebred Arabian horses, an event that was aimed at promoting the breed around the globe by his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Emirates Equestrian Federation launched the President’s Cup World Series for Purebred Arabian Horses in 1994 to promote the breed globally. The event was established by Sheikh Zayed to promote Arabian horse racing, especially in Europe and North America, and to help establish that they can race competitively on the same stage as the thoroughbred. The series was the first international race for Arabian horses and till today remains the premier event for the breed. Sheikh Khalifa’s passion to promote the Arabian, a horse that is close to the hearts of all Arabs, was deep-rooted and unstinting. He was the driving force behind the committee that helped secure a place for the Arabian racehorse at major racing festivals around the world including the St. Leger meeting at Doncaster in the UK and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris. The series, which was held under his patronage, saw the best Arabian racehorses compete in the prestigious President’s Cup World Series. With his backing, the Arabian horse rose in status and was supported passionately by a new generation of owners and breeders around the world. This led to the phenomenal growth and an increase in awareness of the horse. The President’s Cup Series shone, thanks to Sheikh Khalifa’s able guidance, as many countries in Europe are now hosting the prestigious races. Only the most elite Arabians would compete for the title of champion. Sheikh Khalifa dedicated his life to the Arabian by only breeding and racing the majestic racehorse which went a long way to confirm its position on the calendar and raise its status. Sheikh Khalifa set up the Al Asayl Stable which was dedicated to the Purebred Arabian and his horses won many of the post-sought-after prizes in the UAE and Europe. Fittingly, he would win the Dubai Kahayla Classic, one of the showpiece races at the Dubai World Cup meeting on three occasions with Seraphin Du Paon (2011), Fryvolous (2009), and Magic De Piboule (2001). Sheikh Khalifa also emphasised his interest in supporting all sports activities which would inspire the youth of the UAE. After the UAE beat Iraq 2-1 at Bahrain’s National Stadium in Manama to secure the country’s second Gulf Cup title in six years (after the Ismail Matar-inspired 2007 victory), he hosted the victorious squad at the Presidential Palace and donated Dh50 million to the team. Sheikh Khalifa was also a champion of the Emirati youth. His contribution to sport will be greatly missed. Copyright © 2022 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Sheikh Khalifa, the driving force in nation's glorious sporting triumphs

DISCOVER MORE

Inside Ukraine’s scramble for “game-changer” drone fleet

Erdogan tries to salvage economic credibility before Turkey's election

Waking up to the world's water crisis

As India's population booms, where are its working women?

Why Gen Xers and millennials should be following the U.S. Social Security debate

Egypt asset sales face obstacles as state maintains grip

Macron wins Pyrrhic victory on pension bill, risks fuelling anger

China's uneven economic recovery to be mirrored in commodity imports: Russell

GCC central banks track US Fed move; hike key rates by 25bps

Dubai's Meraas to build new residential towers in Design District

UAE exchange firm Al Ansari upsizes IPO on strong investor demand

VIDEO: LSE-listing will facilitate more funding opportunities for us, Dar Global CEO

Dubai’s Emirates to add value, support Air India – Tim Clark

Palms Sports wins $21.24mln coaching contract with Abu Dhabi

Stage set for Dubai 2022 World Archery Para Championships

Dubai Marathon set for December

AJP Tour Abu Dhabi International Pro ready to raise curtain on new Jiu Jitsu season

Meet the Emirati police officer who finished second in world's coldest race

LATEST VIDEO

VIDEO: LSE-listing will facilitate more funding opportunities for us, Dar Global CEO

ZAWYA COVERAGE

Will gold face more downside or upside after Fed's rate hike?

Kenya signs $250mln deal with UK to boost food production

PODCAST: IFC is ready to back governments privatisation plans with capital

UAE's Presight AI to debut on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange next week

Yellen chairs closed US Financial Stability Oversight Council meeting

US to implement asylum deal with Canada on Saturday, final rule says

Fed's Bullard: "Swift" US response to bank stress keeps rate focus on inflation

France's Macron says he will not yield to violence after demonstrations against pensions reform

Euro zone banks resilient, ECB can provide liquidity if needed -Lagarde

THE BRI REPORT

China is reshaping the Belt and Road Initiative ahead of a post-pandemic era

DISCOVER MORE

LATEST VIDEO

ZAWYA NEWSLETTERS

ZAWYA COVERAGE