The Royal Endurance Team is upbeat ahead of today’s opening ceremony of the FEI Endurance World Championship in Pisa, Italy.
The Royal Team will take part in the much-awaited 160 kilometre international race, which will be held on Saturday.
Led by His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Royal Team also features Jaffer Mirza, Raed Mahmoud, Abdulrahman Al-Zayed and Manal Fakhrawi.
Special precautionary measures will be taken due to Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted the organising committee to allow just one jockey to represent his country in the opening ceremony, which begins at 1030pm, Bahrain time.
The jockey representing Bahrain as well as other members of the Royal Team will be wearing the tradition Bahraini attire ‘ghutra’ and ‘thoub’.
Bahrain’s flag was hoisted, among other participating countries’ flags, at the International Endurance Village in Pisa.
The annual race has attracted 80 jockeys from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Italy, Iraq, Australia, Belgium, Algeria, Austria, Bulgaria, Belarus, Brazil, Poland, China, Chile, Croatia, Spain, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden, the USA and Uruguay.
Shaikh Nasser expressed his optimism, pointing out that the team aspires to achieve many goals in this international championship, praising the organising committee’s efforts to ensure the success of the event.
Royal Team director Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan said that Shaikh Nasser’s participation in the championship would have a positive impact on all participants, and his teammates, thanks to his experience and leadership.
Dr Hassan stressed the team’s readiness to achieve positive results, thanks to their experience as well as the support they get from Shaikh Nasser.
“We are confident that our participation will be positive,” he said, paying tribute to His Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Prime Minister, for their support to the development of equestrian and endurance sport.
He stressed the team’s readiness to take part in the international race and achieve positive results in the championship despite fierce competition and the global conditions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are highly optimistic with Shaikh Nasser leading the team,” he said.
Jockeys Jaffer Mirza, Raed Mahmoud, Abdulrahman Al Zayed and Manal Fakhrawi were upbeat, thanking Shaikh Nasser for leading the team.
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