BK

He was a HUGE supporter of powerboat racing.
RIP


Shaikh Maktoum’s strong support helped country attain international fame
By Hisham Al Gizouli

5 January 2006

DUBAI — The story of the late His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s life is a journey of generosity in all areas; political, economic, educational and sporting.

Shaikh Maktoum worked selflessly in support of the UAE. After the death of his father, Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, he took up the responsibility of developing the country still further and, in cooperation with his brothers, General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he certainly accomplished his task.

The enlightened thinking and directives of the late Shaikh Maktoum had the biggest impact in the launching of Dubai World Cup, the richest horse race in the world that drew the attention of the international racing community and attracted quality horses from the four corners of the world.

His directives have also guided Godolphin horses to take part in the American races to face a new challenge against top performers on the dirt tracks. He also had the upper hand in the breeding of the best horses that excited the world in the classical races such as Hatof and Lamtarra from his stud Gains Bro.

Shaikh Maktoum effectively contributed over three decades to the promotion of horse racing and helped the UAE citizens to own the best horses and encouraged them to participate in different races, which again proves his generosity and limitless giving for the promotion and development of horse races

Shaikh Maktoum must take much of the credit for introducing Arabs to international horse racing, an area in which they now excel as owners and trainers. Along with his brothers, he ran the highly successful Godolphin stables. Shaikh Maktoum was the most successful horse owner in Europe in 1997, with group wins in five European countries. He has played a major role in raising the level of international racing. The strong presence made by the Arabs in the international horse races and their influence on its industry was mainly due to the initiative taken by Shaikh Maktoum. This has in turn asserted their role as pioneers in the industry and exposed them to the attention of the international media. The leading role played by Shaikh Maktoum represented the most prominent affair in the 20th century when the Arab horse owners established their control over the races in the international courses and set up the stables which produced the best and pure dynasty, a matter that helped in the upgrading the quality of races and developed horse breeding, worldwide.

He snatched the title of the best owner in five European countries in 1997 which stood as hard evidence of his role as pioneer in the industry.

He was also the first race-horse owner in Europe to win this title since its inauguration in 1971.

In fact, Shaikh Maktoum played a prominent role in promoting and enriching races in Europe through the saddling of a number of quality horses in the various competitions.

He also established the powerful Victory Team, which achieved the greatest results and became well known all over the world in the Class One off-shore powerboat races.

The appearance of the Dubai-based team represented a revolution which changed the ideas and concepts of the experts who were stunned by the exciting performance of the team.

Shaikh Maktoum has always remained behind the big achievements of UAE sports, when the country hosted the 2003 Fifa World Youth Championship, a move which gave the tournament a new birth and dimensions.

The world football governing body, Fifa, has highly appreciated the strong support extended by Shaikh Maktoum to the international event which contributed to the exceptional success which it has registered.

The Fifa President, Sepp Blatter, said in one of his speeches that the UAE has set a new challenge for those who would come next at both the organisational and administrative levels.

Sports activities suspended for a week

SPORTS activities have been suspended for seven days as a mark of respect to the sad demise of His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a statement by the General Authority of Youth & Sports Welfare said yesterday. According to the statement, the authority announced that all sports and youth activities, events and functions being official or non-official were suspended for seven days from today and would resume on Wednesday January11.

BK

More on Maktoum:


Powerboat-racing has an extremely strong following in the UAE, especially since national teams, competing both at home and abroad have achieved world-prominence in this sport. As is usual each year the final round of the Formula One World Championship was held at the Corniche breakwater on 2 and 3 December, along the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Water Festival 'Gulf Aqua '98'. Over 26 participants from 13 countries competed for the coveted 1998 World Champion title. However, following the retirement of Humaid Bakhit in 1997, the UAE we re unable to field a team. This was remedied in 1999 when ADIMSC recruited the American Scott Gillman, the 1997 World Champion. Gillman, who also trains the UAE ’s Formula Two and Four teams, had a number of wins during the season on the international circuit.

The UAE's Dubai-based, world-famous Victory Team, including Khalfan Harib and Mohamed Al Ghaith, Saeed Al Tayer and Felix Seralles, and Ali Nasser and Randy Scism, also had many successes in the heats leading up to the UIM Class One World Offshore Championship which is held each December in Dubai. Harib was Class One World Champion in 1993 and twice winner of the Class Two title. The only two-man team to have won more Class One titles are fellow Victory Team stars Saeed Al Tayer and Felix Serralles who have won 11 races. In September Nasser and Scism were confirmed as the 1999 UIM Class One European Champions and were well ahead in the World Championships.

BK

Hi Mike!!!
Yes! It's me - Boatkitten, aka "Kasseri". I've been reading the OSO forums all these years, so I've been able to keep tabs on you too. LOL How have you been?

I don't know the Sheiks political agenda, but I know that most people involved with boat racing in the UAE really loved that guy and had the highest respect for him.

The Sheik died while he was in Australia at the world's largest race horse auction (he was really into horse racing too). He left the "work" of being a ruler to his younger brother back home. I really think he was more into "having fun" than anything else.

His #1 Formula One powerboat driver is from California, Scott Gillman, and Gillman knows a lot of about having fun, too!

Have you seen the pics of his Marine Sports Club the sheik built? Gorgeous. http://www.adimsc.ae/english/facilities/index.asp


It was just a couple of weeks ago that he sent congrats to the winners of the Dubai Grand Prix....

DUBAI — Mohammed Al Marri and Jean Marc Sanchez in Victory 77 won the Dubai Grand Prix in convincing style yesterday as Steve Curtis and Bard Eker in Spirit of Norway survived a major mechanical scare to clinch the 2005 UIM Class 1 Powerboat Championship.....

....While Victory 77 powered their way on to an emphatic start-to-finish success, Spirit limped through the next three laps they needed to finish in order to complete 70 per cent of the 16-lap 90-nautical mile race and secure the three points that made them world champions.

Delighted Norwegians Jorn Tandberg and Christian Zaborowski in Jotun took second place, 38 seconds behind Victory 77, while England’s Chris Parsonage and American former world champion throttleman Randy Scism in Negotiator finished third, another 27 seconds away.

Celebrating a superb home victory which gave them the Middle East Championship as well as runner’s-up spot in the world title race, Al Marri and Sanchez quickly received a message of congratulations from Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

Ms PatriYacht

interesting guy, must be nice to be born into all that money. How old was he and how did he die. I think Mr P has spoke a little bit about the Victory team, I wonder if Randy will go to the funeral

Steve 1

Wow RIP Shaikh Maktoum, He definitely put Dubai on the map! and was a MAJOR force in offshore-racing.

The Racing His Boats then The horses even his daughter a princess was into desert racing a while back The sports club it's a way cool place I loved testing in Dubai creek.

He will be missed there!

BK

The opening round of the F2000 Circuit, The Presidents Cup, starts this weekend in Qatar. But already, teams are dropping out, due to respect for the late Maktoum.


From www.f2000boat.ae

The Emirates Team which is represented by emirates drivers Thani Al Qemzy & Ahmed Al Hamli will not be racing in Doha due the sad dismiss of Late H.H. Sh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice President & Ruler of Dubai which has occurred on the morning of 4th Jan 2006 in Australia.




This is a picture of Scott with his Dubai teammates. This year, Scott Gillman will be the "team coach" of the F1, F2 & F3 teams, and not top driver. Looks like he may be retiring from the wheel, as he isn't too far away from age 50. I think the UIM F1 has a rule that age 50 is the cut off.

Sean H

62, died of a heart attack....

BK

Maktoum was only 62, but was known to have heart problems. His funeral is today.

A few more items about Maktoum:

AWARDS

Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum was awarded the Environment and Peace Prize by the Germany-based Arab European Cooperation Centre in May this year, in recognition of his efforts in protecting the environment in the UAE and his assistance in protection of the environment in many other countries worldwide. The award also recognised Shaikh Maktoum’s efforts in harmonising various cultures and civilisations of the world, as well as his commitment to justice, peace and co-existence among the people of the world.

Shaikh Maktoum was conferred the honorary membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland in recognition of the unstinting aid he had provided to humanitarian sciences and to the cause of sciences and medical research. Under his leadership, benevolent assistance was provided to citizens of the country to pursue studies at renowned international universities and colleges.

John Highland, vice-chancellor of the college, said Dubai had experienced under the rule of Maktoums very rapid development making it a global financial and trading hub. The honorary membership of the college is the highest and most important certificate presented to international personalities including Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Shaikh Khalifa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain.

BK

Wrong. He was doing the exact opposite, teaching respect for EVERY civilization and culture.

But sad that some want hatred no matter what!

Sean H

UAE and Dubai are actually quite the opposite....