• Home
• /
• UAE

Be a desert hero at Sharjah desert fest

Sharjah - Fifteen riders led by UAE motocross champion Abdulla Al Hatawi, participated in the qualifying stage for the UTV category on Thursday

Some of the country's best desert bikers and dune riders are competing at the inaugural Sharjah Sports Desert Festival (SSDF 2017) which began on Thursday and will run till today ) at Al Badayer Desert in Sharjah.
With the slogan, 'Become a Desert Hero,' SSDF 2017 participants are competing in a series of races across three vehicle classes, including quad bikes, buggies and the side-by-side (seating) UTV (utility task vehicle) category. There is also the engine-sapping 'Enduro knockout' challenges and a host of grueling motocross races.
The two-day event is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. Winners in each of the three categories will win Dh10,000 while second and third placers will receive Dh5,000 and Dh3,000 respectively.
Emirati and motocross rally champion Mohammed Al Balooshi designed the racetrack for SSDF 2017, which is the first-of-its-kind desert off-roading experience in Sharjah and the northern emirates. Al Balooshi was crowned Tunisia Arab Champion for the second year in a row in 2010 and was also the first Emirati to participate in the prestigious Dakar Rally.
Fifteen riders led by UAE motocross champion Abdulla Al Hatawi, participated in the qualifying stage for the UTV category on Thursday and only the Top 12 will advance to the championship round today.
"The outstanding motorsports we have seen has provided the competitors and spectators with a highly professional event which has drawn crowds from far and wide. It has proved once again that Sharjah has world class sports run in a world class environment," said Amer Ali Al Ghaithi, director of events and activities at Sharjah Sports Channel.
Al Ghaithi told Khaleej Times: "We organised this event to promote Sharjah tourism, particularly Al Badayer Desert which is one of the UAE's most important winter desert destinations. This place is perfect for professional and amateur desert riders to test and showcase their desert racing skills."
Sharjah's Al Badayer Desert is located off the Dubai-Hatta Road.
angel@khaleejtimes.com