Bahrain: Shaikh Talal to take part in endurance championship

BAHRAIN Athletics Association (BAA) president Shaikh Talal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa confirmed his entry at the 120km Endurance Horseride Championship for the Crown Prince Cup tomorrow at 5pm at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Shaikh Talal had already taken part in several endurance races in the past, the last of which was for the Bahrain Endurance Cup held in the UK last season.

The BAA chief expressed delight in participating in the night race, to be held under the patronage of the Crown Prince and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Talal said he is pleased to line up with Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who will lead a strong field of riders such as Breef vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The championship will be sponsored by Durrat Al Bahrain for the second time.

Meanwhile, the organisers confirmed five stages for the main race, starting with 30km for the first two stages, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.

Two side races over 85km and 60km will be held during the championship which aim to prepare new riders and horses. The 85km race will be split into three stages - 30km for the first two stages and 25km for the third - while the 60km race consists of two stages of 30km each.

Two-hour veterinary examination is set for tomorrow starting at 2pm at the veterinary area inside the village. A maximum of 75kg is allowed for each horse.

The federation also approved the technical and judging committee for the championship.

Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi was named judging committee chairman with Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Haider Al Zubi, Abdulsamad Al Busta and assistants Haider Rafii and Ali Ghuloom as members. Qatari Dhafi Al Mirri was appointed official commissioner.

The veterinary committee is headed by Dar Yasine Al Mo'tamiri of Tunisia.

Gulf News article