• Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, receives the community sports team Active Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, receives the community sports team Active Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office
  • The rowing team recently undertook the Row Abu Dhabi challenge
    The rowing team recently undertook the Row Abu Dhabi challenge
  • They rowed from the far western border of Abu Dhabi to Yas Island over 10 days
    They rowed from the far western border of Abu Dhabi to Yas Island over 10 days
  • Part of the aim was to enhance community awareness of the importance of preserving marine life and protecting the environment
    Part of the aim was to enhance community awareness of the importance of preserving marine life and protecting the environment
  • The tour started at Ghagha before daily stops at Dalma, Sir Baniyas, Fatayer, Al Bazm, Marawah, Salahah, Al Jirab, Al Nouf and Nurai
    The tour started at Ghagha before daily stops at Dalma, Sir Baniyas, Fatayer, Al Bazm, Marawah, Salahah, Al Jirab, Al Nouf and Nurai
  • Four coastal rowing boats were used during a 26-week training camp as the team rowed an incredible 15 million metres while preparing for the challenge
    Four coastal rowing boats were used during a 26-week training camp as the team rowed an incredible 15 million metres while preparing for the challenge
  • Sheikh Khaled praised the rowers for their outstanding achievements
    Sheikh Khaled praised the rowers for their outstanding achievements
  • He also urged the group to continue taking part in initiatives that increase awareness of the natural environment
    He also urged the group to continue taking part in initiatives that increase awareness of the natural environment
  • It is hoped the group’s achievement could inspire an Olympic rowing programme in the emirate
    It is hoped the group’s achievement could inspire an Olympic rowing programme in the emirate

UAE

Government

Sheikh Khaled hails ‘outstanding achievements’ of Abu Dhabi rowers

The team completed a 400km challenge across 11 islands in 10 days

Tom Evans

November 22, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has praised a community sports team for completing a 400km rowing challenge in the emirate.

Active Abu Dhabi, a squad comprising four lead rowers and three support crew, completed the challenge of rowing between 11 Abu Dhabi Islands in 10 days, to celebrate the natural beauty of the emirate.

Sheikh Khaled met the team on Wednesday where he highlighted the rowers' outstanding achievements and praised their efforts to promote community-wide active participation in outdoor activities.

He also urged the group to continue taking part in initiatives that increases awareness of their natural environment while connecting the wider community through sport.

The rowers navigated their way from the far western border of Abu Dhabi to Yas Island to highlight the importance of preserving marine life.

They set off from Ghagha on November 1 before daily stops at Dalma, Sir Baniyas, Fatayer, Al Bazm, Marawah, Salahah, Al Jirab, Al Nouf and Nurai.

  • A team of four rowers and three support crew completed the first 400km Row Abu Dhabi on Friday, after 10 days that ended at Yas Island - the 11th stop. All photos: Active Abu Dhabi
    A team of four rowers and three support crew completed the first 400km Row Abu Dhabi on Friday, after 10 days that ended at Yas Island - the 11th stop. All photos: Active Abu Dhabi
  • Rowers camped out on the islands each night, before continuing on their journey the following day
    Rowers camped out on the islands each night, before continuing on their journey the following day
  • Coastal rowing boats used to complete the first 400km row between the islands of Abu Dhabi are to be donated to future athletes with ambitions to compete in the Olympics
    Coastal rowing boats used to complete the first 400km row between the islands of Abu Dhabi are to be donated to future athletes with ambitions to compete in the Olympics
  • The boats have been donated to the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club to encourage more people to take up the sport and launch a potential Olympic rowing programme
    The boats have been donated to the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club to encourage more people to take up the sport and launch a potential Olympic rowing programme

They camped out at some of the islands overnight, before continuing their journey the following day.

The team capped off the inaugural Row Abu Dhabi on November 10 after reaching Yas Island.

The achievement was inspired by Mansour Al Dhaheri, who took part in the row after swimming 65km around Abu Dhabi Island in March.

Four coastal rowing boats were used during the 26-week training camp as the team rowed 15 million metres while preparing for the challenge.

The challenge was launched by Active Abu Dhabi, supported by Khalifa University and event sponsors, to promote the environment surroundings of the capital.

The team are also leading a series of yearly programmes designed to encourage more to take part in sporting activities.

It is also hoped the group’s achievement could inspire an Olympic rowing programme in the emirate.

“There were moments throughout the 10-day mission where we did not think we would finish,” said Dr Paul Walker, a Hintsa performance coach and Active Abu Dhabi programme manager, earlier this month.

“All the work put in by the entire team really paid off. We pulled together to overcome all the obstacles in what was another hugely successful step on the Active Abu Dhabi journey.”

Emirates exiles

Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.

Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.

Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.

Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.

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Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Updated: November 22, 2023, 2:24 PM
Sheikh Khaled bin MohamedUAEAbu DhabiEnvironment