UAE Team To Donate Winnings To International Charity
The sole UAE team to sign on for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge - the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) backed ultimate outdoor endurance race which runs till December 14th across the emirate's diverse landscape - is flying the UAE flag as it takes on 25 other international teams.
The four-strong 'TDIC Right to Play' - Gregory Antunes, Steve Coutard, Francois Lhote and female team captain 27-year-old jeweller Farah Barakat - will have to muster every ounce of strength and stamina to tackle the gruelling endurance trials which include: trail running, sea kayaking, camel hiking, rope works, mountain biking and desert and mountain adventure running.
"This is my first endurance race and it is great to have started here in the UAE, where I have grown up all my life, than anywhere else. Other teams traditionally train for challenges of this nature year round but we believe we have a special advantage as we are familiar with the terrain and weather. We are so excited to be out there flying the flag for the UAE," said Barakat.
The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge began on Sunday with the multi-national field taking to the waters off the UAE capital's new public Corniche - opposite the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations' headquarters - for a two-day sea kayaking test.
Named to reflect its sponsorship from Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi's leading development company, and Right to Play, the international charity which uses specially-designed sport and play programmes to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and disadvantaged communities, 'TDIC Right To Play' has vowed to donate its winnings to the charity.
"We are doing this for a great cause and we hope that we can make a difference. We have been training for up to six hours daily across various disciplines to ensure we are in shape," added Barakat.
TDIC has also pledged its support to the team and believes its participation is a major boost for Abu Dhabi's sporting talent.
"TDIC is integral to developing the future of Abu Dhabi and is committed to supporting initiatives, such as the Adventure Challenge, that through worldwide media coverage will demonstrate to the world the sheer scale and scope of the variety of landscapes this emirate has to offer," said Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC.
"Our staff will be on hand to cheer the team along as they carry the hopes of the emirate to the finish line in Al Ain."
Teams represented from 15 countries including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Spain, Uruguay and the USA, have flown in to the UAE capital to compete in the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.
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About the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge route
The Challenge begins with the teams taking to the water for a mammoth seven to 10 hour sea kayaking expedition where teams have a compulsory rest on one of five islands off the Al Dhabeia coast.
A 06:00 start and a further 10-14 hours of sea kayaking awaits the teams on day two, as they navigate the ocean between Al Dhabeia and the traditional coastal town of Mirfa, eventually clocking up 118 kilometres. The teams, officials and press will then be bussed to the second bivouac in the Liwa Desert.
Day three involves the teams running through the towering dunes to Al Batin in preparation for day four's camel trekking to the eastern Liwa Oasis village of Hamim, with conservative estimates putting the completion time between 25 and 30 hours over the two days.
The teams complete a gruelling mountain biking test on the Challenge's penultimate day taking them from Hamim to the picturesque town of Umm Azzimul, from where they will be transferred to the final camp in the desert hamlet of Mubazzarah.
A host of different disciplines are in store for the challengers on the final day with adventure running kick-starting proceedings, before mountain biking, a desert hike, cross orienteering, and rope and mountaineering activities end the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in Al Ain's historic Jahili Fort.
For further information, please contact:
Euan Megson/ Sam Dulka
MCS/Action, PO Box 20970,
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +9714 390 2960
Fax: +9714 390 8161
Email: euan.m@actionprgroup.com / sam.d@actionprgroup.com
Or please log on to: www.abudhabi-adventure.com
© Press Release 2007
