The First FIASport Regional Congress Discusses Ways to Support Championships in the MENA
For the second consecutive day, the activities of the First FIA Sport Regional Congress were carried out in the State of Kuwait, under the patronage of His Excellency the minister of Information and State minister for Youth Affairs and Sports,Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud,with the participation of the FIA President, Jean Todt; the FIA Vice-President, Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Attiyah; the FIA Deputy President for Sport, Graham Stoker; and the CEO of the Kuwait International Automobile Club (organizer), Essa Hamza; in addition to a great number of international automobile experts and around 70 attendees representing 19 members states from the MENA region.
As per the agenda of the second day, the participants deliberated on the FIA plan to support the MENA region and how countries can request such support as of July 2015, in addition to the budget allocated to this support. They also took part in workshops aimed at discussing ways to develop automobile clubs in the MENA region, at the technical and administrative levels.
The workshops considered as well ways to technically develop car races and championships in the region and addressed the need to ensure the safety of competitors. The organization of the Rally of Egypt, next September, was also one of the topics discussed by the attendees.
On the last day of the Congress, the participants are expected to adopt a series of decisions and recommendations pertaining to the organization of races and championships in the MENA region.
Concerning the 2015 Kuwait Rally – the second round of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), Athbi Al-Nayef, Chairman of the Rally Commission at the Kuwaiti Club of Basel Salem Al-Sabah Sheikh, said that the preparations for the Kuwait Rally (which will kick off next Thursday, March 14, and be concluded on March 16) are ongoing, pointing to the outstanding efforts deployed by the clubs and federations in order to increase the number of participants this year. He indicated that new stages had been introduced to the rally, adding that important information and techniques learned from the participation to Qatar Rally would be applied in Kuwait Rally this year, and hi-tech equipment would be available to guarantee a better performance, compared to previous years.
Concerning the Congress, Nayef stated that the attendance of an important number of motor sport experts and delegates was significant, especially that the Congress is expected to deal with topics related to the development of motor sport in the MENA region.
Moreover, the Rally Consultant for the MENA region Pedro Almeida expressed his pleasure to be in Kuwait, describing the Congress as a very important event for the future of motor sport in the region which has a great potential to improve this sport. Such events, he continued, help to reach thatgoal.
“The number of participating countries and the presence of FIA President Todt show the importance the FIA gives to this region. That is what we are all fighting for…to raise the level of the sport in this part of the world”, added Almeida.
Answering a question about how he was supporting the MENA region, Almeida explained: “Over the last four years, I have been the organizer of the Qatar’s Sealine Cross-Country Rally…We had the opportunity to discuss several matters in motor sport”, indicating that he was invited to participate and offer his assistance, especially on regulations which represent his field of action.
From his side, Carlos Abella, the FIA Development Department Director, declared: “We are closely following what is happening in the MENA region. We are here every year…This is the first time that the FIA holds a congress in connection with the MENA. The level of attendance is very significant and reflects the importance of motor sport in the region”.
Emphasizing the importance of this meeting, Ziad Jamous, FIA international referee and observer and newly appointed Rally Coordinator for the MENA region,said that the high level of participation to the Congresswas an evidence of its significance, especially with the establishment of working groups pertaining to different areas to work on the development of motor sport in the MENA. “That includes rallies, as we will see new events in Egypt, Oman and Iran and cross-country races”, clarified Jamous.
He pointed out that the attendance of the FIA President JeadTodt and senior jurists of the FIA like Graham Stoker gave the participants a strong motivation to deliver on the Congress objectives and come up with efficient recommendations to induce the desired improvement in motor sport in the region.