Under the patronage and supported by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the Dubai International Marine Club organized the 24th edition of Al Gaffal Race, the annual traditional 60ft Dhow Sailing Race.

On the sidelines of Al Gaffal race, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum held an expanded meeting with media in which he said: "The race is successfully held for over 24 years to confirm how much such a sport is close to the hearts of people of the Gulf region, especially the Emiratis, as it is a link between the present and past. Holding the race will continue in the future, especially that the new generations have inherited love for this sport from the ancestors and I wish them all the best”.

"Al Gaffal race revives the seafaring heritage of the UAE and the old life in the Gulf region, where there were no varied economic activities and a special relationship was there between people and sea. Now, the situation is totally different and the GCC countries have become one of the best places in the Arab world”, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan added.

On the occasion of their participation in the race of Al Gaffal, the captains of the German and French teams thanked H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid for giving them the opportunity to participate in such a unique race. They delivered H.H. Sheikh Hamdan souvenirs on behalf of their teams.

At the end of the race, Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the winners of the 50-nautical mile race held with the participation of 100 traditional boats (dhows) in a 10-hours trip started from Sur Bu Na’air Island and finished at the Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah.

The first place went to Al Buraq 33 dhow, owned by H.E. Mosbah Rashid Al Fattan Al Falasi, Director of the Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The second place went to Al Adeed 30 dhow, owned by Mohammed Rashid Al Rumaithi, and the 3rd one went to Dahess 99 which is owned by Omar Abdullah Al Marzouki.