The Sharjah World Championship Week, the one of a kind annual water sports event hosted by the emirate of Sharjah, is returning with yet another thrilling edition, much to the delight of adrenaline junkies and outdoor sports enthusiasts in the region. The announcement was made by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) during a press conference held at the Al Majaz Waterfront, in the presence of H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; His Excellency Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority and Chairman of Sharjah International Marine Sports Club; Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter, UIM F1 Powerboat and Aquabike World Championship, and a group of racers who are participating in the championship.

The 20^th edition of the Sharjah World Championship Week will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council. It will feature exciting speedboat racing ‘U.I.M. F1H2O WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2019, Grand Prix of Sharjah’ for the 20th year in a row, in addition to the fifth edition of the UIM-ABP AQUABIKE CLASS PRO CIRCUIT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Grand Prix of Sharjah, which will take place from 17 to 21 December on Khalid Lagoon, said His Excellency Khalid Al Midfa in his speech. He highlighted the support of all partners, including government and private sectors and

institutions and further revealed the details of a competition that will be held for media professionals in both Arabic and English, in conjunction with the event. The contest will recognize best coverage, the best interview and the best image, after monitoring these continuously throughout the Championship.

Apart from the World Championship Week’s reputation and growing popularity as an exhilarating sporting event, it also constitutes a global forum that highlights the tourism capabilities of the Emirate of Sharjah and its position as a leading global destination that embraces various major events and activities throughout the year, Al Midfa explained during his speech. His Excellency also welcomed the participation of the UAE teams, especially the Sharjah Formula One Powerboat Team, which will participate for the first time representing the Emirate of Sharjah in this international sporting event, in addition to the Abu Dhabi Team of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club team, and the Victory Team of Dubai International Marine Sports Club.

What’s more, the emirate’s growing prominence in the sports sector, especially water sports, will be aptly highlighted by the participation of the Sharjah Formula One Powerboat Team during the event. This underscores Sharjah’s 20 years of experience and its outstanding success in harnessing infrastructure resources and its tourism capabilities in order to support the global events and activities sector.

Thanks to the guidance of the wise leadership, coupled with the efforts of various institutions, and the authorities in the governmental and private sectors in promoting the emirate’s tourism and consolidating its position on the global tourism map, the latest edition of the sporting festival is set to spike the adrenaline levels of water sports enthusiasts in the emirate and beyond. The U.I.M. F1H2O WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2019, Grand Prix of Sharjah this year will witness the participation of more than 85 racers from 30 different countries around the world, who will showcase their advanced skills in speedboat racing at speeds ranging from 90 to 140 miles per hour.

H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said: “The Emirate of Sharjah has a history spanning more than twenty years in the field of hosting and organizing water sport events, which has made it a preferred and ideal place to embrace and organize such global events

throughout the year. It is a major destination for tourism events today, thanks to its distinctive infrastructure and tourism features that meet the requirements of all these forums and activities and consider the highest standards of quality and safety in them. Our main promotional message for this year’s tournament is reflected in the slogan ‘Go Full Throttle into Thrill,’ which highlights the emirate’s passion for water sports activities and offering all that is distinctive and exceptional in a renewed and interesting template filled with competitive spirit, entertainment, excitement of winning and championships. We are happy to have all these contestants from inside and outside the country participate, and we wish them all the best, success and distinction in performance as always.”

His Excellency Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority and Chairman of Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, said, “We are proud to be once again hosting this year’s edition of Sharjah World Championship Week, which follows the mandate of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to consolidate Sharjah’s leading position as an ideal destination for sports and leisure based activities. Over the last few years, this event has attracted the participation of the world’s top water sports athletes and professionals–helping us promote and encourage sporting events like this to a wider, global audience while also making Sharjah a well-known name in the international sporting community. We look forward to hosting more athletic events in the future, which seeks to inspire a culture of healthy competition.”

Nicolo de San Germano said: “This championship is one of the most prominent and unique water sport events in the world, where the World Champion will be selected for this year. We are pleased that the Sharjah Power Boat team will participate for the first time, which reflects the emirate’s growing prominence in water sports. We are confident that the competition will be intense due to the participation of the most prominent international teams in the field of boats, speedboats and water bikes, and therefore, we expect the championship to be exceptional by all standards.”

Another major highlight of the press conference was the launch of the website “Be a fan of the team” by SCTDA. In addition, the Authority reviewed the ‘Sharjah Boat,’ presenting an opportunity to register to join

the list of the first official fans of the Sharjah Powerboat Team, and to get a team jersey to express solidarity with their favorite teams in Sharjah World Championship Week.

SCTDA continues to work with both government and private sectors to organize an array of exciting events and initiatives that are designed to highlight the emirate’s diverse tourism, cultural and recreational landmarks, moving closer to the realization of shared goals to attract more tourists to the emirate. Public and private sector partners of the latest edition of the Sharjah World Championship Week include the Department of Seaports and Customs – Sharjah, Sharjah Police, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority – Sharjah, Sharjah Civil Defence, Sharjah Airport, Bee’ah, Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club (Strategic partner), Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (Media Sponsor), Al Zahra Hospital – Sharjah (Medical Sponsor) and the Hospitality Sponsors: Hilton Hotel Sharjah, The Act Hotel, Copthorne Hotel Sharjah and Golden Tulip Sharjah.