Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

The first Ajman Sea Festival opened yesterday. Organised by Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), the Festival is being held at Marina 1 from October 22nd to November 1st with 130 participants of different ages and nationalities.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of ATDD, Ajman Sea Festival is focusing on the importance of water sports with a variety of marine activities including a Fishing Championship, a Flyboard Championship, a Dragon Boat Race, a Jet Ski Marathon and a Jet Ski Drag Race that is the first of its kind in the UAE.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, ATDD Director General, said, “Based on our success in organising this Festival, we plan to make it an annual event and to adapt it and add new activities. We developed this concept as part of a series of events and festivals that ATDD is launching to attract an increasing number of visitors and raise hotel occupancy rates in line with Ajman Vision 2021.”

Al Geziry also added, “We will continue to organise and sponsor a variety of activities, events and festivals in Ajman in order to contribute to the Emirate’s development and the advancement of all sectors. We aim to make Ajman a leading international destination that hosts distinctive tourism and sports-related events.”

Saud Al Jasmi, Head of Events at ATDD, stated that the first Ajman Sea Festival features a number of key activities including the Fishing Championship from October 22nd to 26th, the Flyboard Championship and Regatta Championship on the 26th and the Jet Ski Marathon on November 1st. The 11-day Festival also includes a number of interesting cultural and marine activities focusing on the importance of water sports.”

Moreover, Al Jasmi also expressed his thanks and appreciation to the members of the higher committee who organised this Festival and to our strategic partners for supporting this unique Festival.

“In particular, I would like to thank Delma Marine, the authorised dealer for Mercury Motors and the Diamond Sponsor of the Festival; Ajman Media Free Zone, the Gold Sponsor; and the Silver Sponsors, Al Zorah Real Estate, the developer of Al Zorah, Ajman, and MT Company, the exclusive agent for SEDO Marine Sports Equipment Company. I would also like to thank Emirates Marine Sports and Dubai Marine Sports Club, which will supervise the organisation of the Jet Ski Marathon and Drag Race and the Flyboard Championship, and Ras Al Khaimah Club, the main supervisor for the organisation of the Dragon Boat Race,” he added.