Manama,March 7 (BNA) — Bahrain’s Isa Al Bannai came on top in the category ‘B’ in the Third Khalid bin Hamad Arabian Horse Racing Cup Festival for people with disabilities, which got underway yesterday (March 6) at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club racecourse in Sakhir.
Prominent riders from Jordan, the UAE, Oman, Egypt, Morocco and host nation Bahrain in the fray for this two-day event.
Races featuring riders with special needs started yesterday, when the participants were divided into Groups ‘A’ and ‘B’.
Al Banna topped Category ‘B’ with 24 points, three ahead of compatriot Nayla Al Athem, who came second, while Mohammed Marie, also of Bahrain, was third with 16 points.
Other jockeys from the same category were Omani Asem Al Saadi (13 points), UAE’s Aisha Al Nuaimi (12), Jordan’s Jawdat Tahbob (8), Mahmood bin Humood of Oman and Yasmine bin Ahwad (both 7), who took places from fourth till eighth.
In the higher category ‘A’, Ahmed Al Shaikh and Kumail Abduljalil of Bahrain, Mohammed Al Shamsi of the UAE, Younes Al Manoni of Morocco, Mohammed Al Fayez of Jorda and Egypt’s Maryam Adel and Nooruddin Hassan are in the fray.
Being organised for the third consecutive year under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first vice-chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Today’s event will be witnessed by high-ranking equestrian officials from the Arab world, as well as special guests Princess Alia bint Al Hussein of Jordan and famous Lebanese singer Elissa.
Elissa, who touched on Bahrain yesterday, was welcomed on arrival by Supreme Council for Youth and Sports member Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa.
The 19th race of the weekly Bahrain horse racing season is also due to take place today, with 64 jockeys to compete for four Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa trophies.
The first race, which is for local bred horses, is over 1,000 metres with nine horses taking part.
The second race of the day will be open for imported horses and covers 2,000m with seven horses in the fray.
Seven horses are also taing part in the third race of the day, which is for local horses, covering 2,200m and providing BD1,000 total prizemoney.
The first Khalid bin Hamad Trophy will be presented to the winner of the fourth race, which covers 1,000m with 11 riders competing for a total award of BD1,000.
There are 14 horses lined-up for the BD1,500-award fifth race, which is for Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad trophy for the Wahoo horses and covering 1,400m distance.
The sixth and final race will see eight local bred horses battling for Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Trophy and the total prize of BD2,000.
Omani Ambassador to Bahrain Abdulla bin Rashid Al Medailwi commended the initiative of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa to continue supporting this event, in general, and for people with special needs, in specific.
He expressed appreciation for inviting him to attend the festival and for the inviting riders from the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Morocco and Egypt to take part in this edition event.
Al Medailwi lauded the Kingdom of Bahrain government support to the people with special needs and their ekeenness to engage them in different sports events.
EM