The
International Petroleum Investment Council (IPIC), sponsor of the
Kahayla Classic at this today’s Dubai World Cup, has encouraged more
Emiratis to get into horse racing.
The purebread
Arabian race is one of the stand out races during the Dubai World Cup
held at Maydan and IPIC see it as the perfect opportunity to inspire
local Emirati youth to be involved in sport.
Speaking on the
day of the Dubai World Cup, His Excellency Khadem Al Qubaisi, Managing
Director of IPIC explained that IPIC is thrilled to be apart of the
world’s biggest day of horse racing.
He said: “Under
the guidance of our Chairman Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, IPIC believes it
has a moral obligation to inspire and equip Emirati youth to become more
active and engaged in sport, of all types.”
The Kayayla
Classic demonstrates the values regarded highly in IPIC’s philosophy.
With a field dominated by the Arabian horse it’s the perfect stage for
the country to showcase it’s equestrian talents.
“The Arabian
horse is an intimate part of UAE heritage and culture,” Al Qubaisi
explained. “It is highly regarded across the globe for its pedigree, its
intelligence, its beauty, its poise, its character. The Al Kahayla
Classic is an ideal opportunity for IPIC to promote this unique breed to
a global audience.”
For IPIC
however, it isn’t just about sponsoring an event on the world stage, the
Abu Dhabi based investments firm wants to inspire participation at
grassroots level across the UAE.
“Just
as we see the role that we play in the investments that we make on
behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi, IPIC’s support is designed to act
as a catalyst of change at a grassroots level,” Al Qubaisi said.
“Our
participation with Meydan is designed to act as a means to encourage
more Emiratis to participate in horse racing, whether that be the
breeding and raising of competitive horses or providing the competitive
arena for Emirati riders.”
Equestrian sport
is weaved in to the fabric of Emirati culture so it is not surprising
that the UAE is extremely successful when it comes to breeding
world-class horses.
Mr Al Qubaisi
added: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, already
manages one of the most successful stables, producing some of the most
competitive horses, in the world. Emiratis are already globally
competitive in endurance racing. In fact, led by His Highness Sheikh
Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and
Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, we are world champions in this
particularly difficult art.”
It’s that success that IPIC want to see continue, and see the next generation as the key.
“IPIC’s role is
to provide grassroots support to empower more Emiratis to become engaged
in the sport of horse racing at a grassroots level so that this success
not only endures but grows,” Mr Al Qubaisi said.
