NEW FAMILY, CORPORATE EVENT TO BE STAGED AROUND MAKTOUM SAILING TROPHY

A big weekend of family and corporate entertainment will be staged next month as part of the climax to the Maktoum Sailing Trophy, the Gulf region’s most prestigious fleet racing event. The Mina Regatta, which will feature children’s entertainment, live music and culinary treats, is being organised by Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina in conjunction with Dubai International Marine Club.

Taking place in the Mina Seyahi Lagoon from 4-6 May, the event is part of a programme of activities being built around Dubai’s biggest sailing events as part of a drive to establish the emirate as a major international sailing venue. The grounds of Le Meridien Mina Seyahi will be alive with music, childrens’ games and family entertainment, while food lovers can sample the wide range of food and drink outlets available throughout the complex. Attractive corporate entertainment packages will also be available.

Entry is free and so is children’s entertainment, which will include a bouncy castle, face painting, organised games and a radio-controlled boat competition. Live music starts at 6.30pm in the beach restaurant and bar, Barasti and features various Barasti favourites including The Stompers, the Skratch band and singers Jeremy and Peter.

The Mina Regatta is being launched to coincide with the final round on 4-5 May of the Maktoum Sailing Trophy, the exciting fleet racing series, currently in its second year, which is part of an emerging season of international sailing events being staged by DIMC.

Next year the Maktoum Trophy will have a new, ten-day format to attract more overseas competitors. Given an extra dimension by the introduction of the Mina Regatta, the series will gradually take its place alongside some of the world’s most prestigious sailing events. Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of Dubai International Marine Club, said the Mina Regatta will complement plans to develop Dubai’s position as a world-class venue for  sailing in the years ahead.

The plans, which have been approved by H.H.Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of DIMC, have also been welcomed enthusiastically by the ISAF, the world  governing body of sailing.They include the opening of a state-of-the-art sailing academy next year, the expansion of a junior training programme which has created a UAE national team, and the staging of more international events, with an emphasis on match racing.

"The Mina Regatta is being introduced at a time when the popularity of sailing is growing steadily at local, regional and international levels. It will attract members of the sailing community and the general public, as well as sectors of the corporate world," said Saeed Hareb.

Extensive plans to reinforce Dubai’s position as a world-class sailing venue have already drawn high praise from ISAF President Gorän Petersson and HM King onstantine, the ISAF President of Honour, who visited the emirate in January.

"The ISAF is working tirelessly to increase the popularity of sailing around the world and to take the sport to a new level, and we are increasing our efforts to support the world governing body here in Dubai," said Hareb. We want to make sailing more interesting, and more fun, and the Mina Regatta is part of this process. It will add colour and atmosphere to the season of international sailing activities we’re developing to capitalise on Dubai’s blend of top-class facilities, ideal climate and sailing conditions."

- Tony LEWIS, Narayana Marar, TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS DUBAI -