Bahrain: Riders ready for endurance race

Gulf-daily-news.com

Saturday, February 04, 2012

THE much-awaited and the most prestigious races of the season - His Majesty the King's Endurance Race - will kick off this morning at the Bahrain International Endurance Village at 6am.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports President, Bahrain Olympic Committee Chairman and Royal Endurance Team leader Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will be one of the favourites to win this event.

Shaikh Nasser described the race as the most important and strongest races in the endurance calendar. He stressed the readiness of the Royal Team to put up a good show.

Meanwhile, the Royal Equestrian and Endurance Races Association President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa welcomed all participants and asserted that the race is one of the most important races in the region.

The medical inspection committee have completed the veterinary examination process of the participating horses under the supervision of the Veterinary Committee headed by Dr Yaseen Al Motamiry of Tunisia and other foreign doctors.

The Route Committee has also completed the race stages and other formalities. The race is divided into five stages with the first stage, to be marked by red flags, covering a distance of 30km. The second stage will also be over 30km but marked with blue flags.

The third stage will be over 20km and marked with green flags while the fourth stage of another 20km will be highlighted by yellow flags.

White flags will line the fifth and final stage which will also be over 20km.

A race for riders with special needs will also be held on the sidelines of the main event. It will be a first of its kind in Bahrain and the region.

This race will be over 15km divided into three stages of five kms each. The race will be held as per endurance laws and the horses will be subjected to veterinary examination after each stage of the race. A total of six riders are participating in this race.

Another highlight of His Majesty the King's race is that a number of European riders will be taking part individually and as teams along with a couple of Saudi riders belonging to the Shawamekh stable.

Bahrain's Sports Channel will broadcast the race live with the help of an integrated crew.