Bahrain: Royal Welcome

Gulf-daily-news.com

9th JANUARY 2009

HIS Majesty King Hamad yesterday welcomed the UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who arrived in Bahrain to participate in the 120-kilometre Endurance Horseride Grand Prix.

This five-stage event will be held tomorrow at the Bahrain International Endurance Village.

Shaikh Mohammed was also given a warm welcome on arrival by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and other federation officials.

Shaikh Nasser, who is also captain of the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team, will lead Bahrain along with Al Khaldiya Stables captain Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Majid, sons of Shaikh Mohammed, are also be in the fray along with the UAE's presidential affairs minister Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ahmed Harmash, who finished second and third respectively in last month's first race of the series at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi.

The Bahrain race, divided into five stages and the second of a three-race series, is sponsored by Unicorn Investment Bank and top riders from Bahrain and the UAE are in the fray.