ABU DHABI // Thani al Qamzi and Ahmad al Hameli are aiming for strong performances in the penultimate round of the UIM World Formula 1 Powerboat Championship at the Abu Dhabi Marine Festival.
The Abu Dhabi leg of the world series will be the high point of the five-day festival which runs between Dec 1 and 5 and coincides with the National Day celebrations.
"We can't think of a better contribution to celebrate the occasion than winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix," said Qamzi, who has had a wretched season having failed to win a point from any of the six championship races as a result of engine failures and mechanical unreliability.
"It hasn't been a good season for me but that doesn't stop me from trying to win in Abu Dhabi," he added.
"But I hope Ahmad wins it, because he has a better chance of claiming a podium finish in the world championship."
Qamzi was third behind Team Abu Dhabi's American driver and instructor Scott Gillman in the 2006 championship series and finished the same position last year behind Sami Selio of Finland.
"I would like to see Ahmad take my place on the podium at the end of the two races in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah," said Qamzi, who leads the pole position points table from the nine-times Italian world champion Guido Cappellini.
Hameli shared the same sentiment of his senior teammate as he looked forward to the event.
He said: "I will be very glad if one of us can win this race.
"I agree with Thani that we can't think of a better contribution [to the festival] than winning this race."
Hameli is in fourth place in the championship standings with two races left in Abu Dhabi and in Sharjah on Dec 12.
The American Jay Price, racing under the Qatar banner, tops the championship points table with 85 and need only a sixth place in one of the two races to become the world champion.
Jonas Andersson of Sweden is his only challenger on 47, with the defending champion Selio in third place followed by Hameli.
The Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club has made elaborate plans for the holiday crowd with kayak races on the opening day followed by a short distance triathlon, angling competition, swimming, aqua bike races and the grand finale world championship race.
"It is a nice occasion for the holiday crowd to come and enjoy all the action in the water, the sideshows and prizes on free entry coupons, on all five days at the Breakwater," said Ahmed al Rumaithi, a board member of the club.
apassela@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The Light of the Moon
Director: Jessica M Thompson
Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Michael Stahl-David
Three stars
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AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
