Abu Dhabi: Endurance Village to hold major events on Saturday

Gulfnews.com
A car and a total of Dh300,000 will be up for grabs

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
December 10, 2009

bu Dhabi: The Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba will be a hive of activity on Saturday when the prestigious 120-km National Day Cup and the 120-km Giants Endurance Challenge (Round 1) will see the cream of endurance riders in action.

The Bonyan International Investment Group will be sponsoring both the rides, the National Day Cup being an open ride while the Giants Endurance being the first of the three rounds of a bodyweight series.

Addressing a press conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday evening, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said: "The winner of the National Day Cup will drive away with a car while a total of Dh300,000 is on offer for those who finish at the top."

"Saturday will also see the first round of the prestigious Giants Endurance, with the next two rounds in the series stopping in Bahrain and Dubai," he said.

"This is the first time that Bonyan will be supporting the sport of endurance and it is indeed a matter of great pride to be involved with the prestigious National Day Cup ride."

"As you may be aware, the Bonyan International Investment Group supported the National Day Cup flat race and the thrilling finish in front of a large crowd gave us immense pleasure," Abdullah Atatreh, Chairman of Bonyan Group, said.

"Bonyan International Investment Group believes strongly that equestrian sport in the UAE is part of the country's culture and heritage and we are willing partners in its promotion. We are involved along with the Breeding Stables of [Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs] Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, based in Normandy, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in this endeavour," said Abdullah Bin Brouk, Bonyan's President.

Leading destination

Abu Dhabi Sports Council's Talal Al Hashemi said: "Abu Dhabi is fast emerging as a leading sporting destination and such events which are connected with our culture and heritage go hand-in-hand with the other international events being staged here."

Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq, said the Breeding Stables of Shaikh Mansour along with the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Abu Dhabi Sports Council will be involved in supporting more such events in the future.