Monday, Jun 08, 2015

Abu Dhabi: Senaat, an industrial holding firm in the UAE, and its portfolio companies, Emirates Steel and Al Foah, announced at a press conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday their sponsorship of the Emirates Team for the ongoing Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship.

The Emirates Racing team includes veteran Emirati Ahmad Al Hameli, who has six career victories, and rising star Erik Stark from Sweden.

The team is only four months old and is currently joint bottom of the world standings after the first race of the eight-race calendar, the 12th Grand Prix of Qatar in March.

Jamal Salem Al Daheri, Senaat’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased to be joining hands with our portfolio companies Emirates Steel and Al Foah, in support of such a remarkable team. We hope that through this endorsement, we can increase awareness of the sport but also more widely, highlight the importance of physical activity for the well-being and health of our young Emiratis and encourage them to pursue their passions.

“The Emirates Team is a perfect illustration of passion and ambition and having the resilience and fortitude to overcome adversity in the face of what many deemed impossible. The sponsorship is also part of our commitment to support Emirati talent who are raising the UAE flag around the world and act as role models for future Emirati champions.”

Team manager Scott Gillman added: “I am very happy for the new partnership with Senaat, Emirates Steel and Al Foah. The team is very excited for the future and we believe that this partnership can help us to bring the results to win the World championship.

“After an impressive 12-year stint and 700 cups won, interrupted with a one-year break in which he had to take a leave for health reasons despite being in the lead for the championship, Al Hameli is back again stronger than ever,” he said.

Inaugurated in 1981, the F1 Powerboat World Championship is an international motorboat racing competition for powerboats organised by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).

By Euan Reedie Chief Sports Writer,?Abu Dhabi

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