ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, concluded yesterday, Sunday, 21 April.
Having run for three days, the tournament was organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, with the shared goal of preserving traditional competitions that encapsulates the UAE’s maritime heritage.
More than 1,500 anglers aboard more than 360 fishing boats participated in the largest event of its kind in the region, with total financial prizes exceeding AED 1,000,000. 166 kingfish were delivered for weighing by 135 boats. Hamad Al Kamali, participant number 188, won the first place prize of AED 200,000 after catching a kingfish that weighed 32.69 kg on the second day of the tournament, followed by Omar Al Buraiki (173), who won the second place prize of AED 150,000. Third place Mohammed Al Marzooqi (139) won AED 100,000.
The fourth place prize of AED 50,00
0 was won by Ahmed Al Shehhi (88), fifth place prize of AED 40,000 by Saeed Al Rumaithi (20), sixth place prize of AED 30,000 by Muhammad Issa Al Shamsi (224), seventh place prize of AED 25,000 by Sultan Al Qubaisi (134), eighth place prize of AED 20,000 by Obaid Al Hosani (291), ninth place of prize of AED 19,000 by Hashem Al Khaja (7), and tenth place prize of AED 18,000 by Ibrahim Al Marzooqi (50). The prizes extended until 60th place.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship is one of the most important marine sporting events that preserves the popular heritage of kingfishing amongst Emiratis and encourages the community to practice the sport of fishing, in addition to promoting the concept of reviving the local marine heritage, providing opportunities for amateurs to practice fishing, and revitalizing the spirit of competition among marine fishing enthusiasts.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, appreciated the generous sponsorship and unlimited support of H.H. Shei
kh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, for the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship, reflecting the Council’s interest in reviving traditional marine sports, as well as encouraging and inviting various segments of society to practice sports and making it a pattern of daily life for all individuals.
Al Awani congratulated the winners and all those who participated in the tournament, as well as the committees working the event. He also thanked the sponsors, supporters and everyone who contributed to the success of the first edition of the tournament, indicating that the combined efforts of everyone led to the amazing successes that were achieved.
Majid Ateeq Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship, thanked H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, for his generous sponsorship of the first edition of the tournament, which witnessed a large turnout from citizens, residents and various
participants from around the world. It offered the largest total of financial prizes, which contributed to encouraging participants to practice marine fishing using a rod.
Al Muhairi confirmed that a large quantity of fish, 166 kingfish of various weights that ranged from 14 to 32 kg, were caught, congratulating all the winners and wishing best of luck to the rest of the contestants.
He concluded by saying: ‘We thank everyone who contributed to the success of this largest event of its kind in the region, including out partners, sponsors, organisational committees and volunteers, and we promise everyone more competitions and tournaments related to the sport of marine fishing.’
Source: Emirates News Agency