The Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA), operating through the Sharjah Sports Channel, has officially unveiled the second edition of the 60-foot Sir Bu Nair Dhow Sailing Race. Set to take place on 10 October, the event serves as a tribute to the United Arab Emirates’ rich maritime history and traditional sporting culture. The competition is held under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and is organized in strategic collaboration with the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club.
This year’s race is set to draw significant participation, featuring 71 dhows and a combined force of over 1,000 captains and sailors. The competition offers a lucrative prize pool totaling approximately AED 3 million. The race will follow a challenging 25-nautical-mile course, starting from the Al Hamriyah area and concluding at Al Heera, Sharjah.
Alongside the main sailing event, the SBA has launched the Sir Bu Nair Challenge, a specialized competition for Sharjah government employees. Scheduled from 8 to 10 October, this challenge is held under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council. The challenge, which boasts a prize fund of AED 70,000, requires participating government entities to form teams of six, with each organization permitted to enter a maximum of two squads.
The announcement followed a press conference attended by key officials, including Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of the SBA; Mohammed Majid Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Sports Channel; Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; and Tariq Saeed Allay Al-Naqbi and Ahmed Issa Al Hosani from the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club. Also in attendance were representatives from the Sharjah Co-operative Society and Sharjah Media City (Shams).
Salem Ali Al Ghaithi noted that the second edition builds upon the strong foundation of the inaugural race, which saw widespread participation and success. He emphasized that the event is instrumental in reviving the traditions of the nation’s ancestors, preserving essential sailing techniques and values such as patience and determination for younger generations. According to Al Ghaithi, this edition solidifies the race’s status as a staple on the Sharjah maritime and heritage events calendar.
Mohammed Majid Al Suwaidi explained that the dhow race and the government challenge provide distinct experiences, both aiming to foster community engagement and sporting spirit. He highlighted that the Sharjah Sports Channel is enhancing its production capabilities this year to ensure broader coverage for younger audiences. Tariq Saeed Allay Al-Naqbi added that the Marine Sports Club has concluded all necessary technical and logistical preparations, with a primary focus on maintaining the highest safety standards for all competitors.
Abdallah Murad Al Mazmi of Sharjah Media City (Shams) expressed enthusiasm for supporting the Sir Bu Nair Challenge for a second year. He remarked that the initiative successfully unites diverse segments of the community, encouraging teamwork and healthy physical competition while invigorating the emirate’s media and sports landscape. The event will be further supported by a variety of public-oriented activities aimed at increasing audience interaction with the heritage themes. Reflecting Sharjah’s wide-ranging portfolio of events and initiatives, he highlighted the event’s success in bringing together diverse segments of the community in an exceptional environment.
