Gold Coast, Australia, Sunday, 2nd Nov – At the annual UIM (Union International Motonautique) World Congress, International council members voted by a vast majority to award a Dubai based promoter the rights to organise the F2 World Championship of powerboating. There were several countries involved in the bidding process and it has been a long week of deliberation for the council members.

UIM President Dr Raffaele Chiulli commented, ’It has been the most professional, multi dimensional and strategic selection process as we had so many factors to decide upon. I am very pleased we have reached this professional conclusion’.

’This is a fantastic result for the United Arab Emirates, said Promoter Abdul Salam Fairooz, Managing Director of Formula World Sports.

’I have been supported by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, ruler of Abu Dhabi and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai and my Gold Sponsor GGICO, who have all supported me in my attempt to win this bid for the UAE”.

Mr Fairooz officially has won the rights to promote the UIM F2 Powerboating championship worldwide, something he has been doing for the past five years in the Middle East and Africa regions with many successful races in United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Malaysia. He has also been involved in the sport for almost fifteen years both as a driver and as a promoter.

The F2 World Championship is the pinnacle of powerboating and includes various high profile sporting countries, competitions attract teams from all over the world. Every year new host countries line up to be part of the annual championship that includes various additional water festivals and watersport races as part of special events and tourism programmes.

’I would like to thank Mr Tony Walsh, President of the Australian Powerboat Federation for such warm hospitality in the beautiful country of Australia as a host venue for the 81st UIM World Congress’, commented Fairooz. This has been a fantastic trip for me, I have also had the opportunity to meet with many new interesting people and growing economies who are supporting me to host future F2 Grand Prix races, I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to demonstrate UAE’s committeemen to world class sporting events, he concluded.

The F2 World Championship series certainly looks promising as there are at least 6 new countries all excited at the prospect of enjoying this exciting spectacle.

The final round of the 2008 F2 World Championship takes place on Dec 14th in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

ends……………………..

Media Officer

Formula World Sports

Dubai

United Arab Emirates

Tel +971 4 2827272
Fax +971 4 2827676