Competitors prepare for tough new route at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
One of the largest forts in the UAE, Al Jahili was built in the 1890s on the orders of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, also known as Zayed the First, as the home to members of the ruling Al Nahyan family.
It was sporting royalty that took centre stage, however, as Rally-Raid champions such as Dacia driver Nasser Al Attiyah and Hero Motorsport rider Ross Branch joined with rally legend Sébastien Loeb, as well as event regulars such as local legends Abdulaziz Ahli and Mansour Al Helei and newcomers to discuss their hopes for the gruelling 1920 km route that includes some of the UAE's toughest terrain and most remote regions.
The action got underway with an 11-kilometre Qualifying Stage on February 22 around the Jebel Hafit Desert Park, and runs through to February 27, with competitors powering through an opening stage Mezaira'a before toughing it out on a two-stage marathon camp and finally, a full-throttle Stage 5 blast to ultra-modern Abu Dhabi and the finish line.
The rally, one of the longest-running UAE sporting spectacles, is presented by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and organised by the Emirates Motorsport Organisation (EMSO).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
14-08-2025
- Khaleej Times
Desert dust and Pakistani grit: Omar Chaudhry's journey from sidelines to sandstorms
It all started with a casual trip to the Cholistan Desert Rally with no helmet, no racing boots, just a curious spectator soaking up the roaring engines and desert sun. But for Omar JavedChaudhry, that one visit in 2019 changed everything. 'I was standing on the sidelines watching my friend Shahzain Abassi race,' Omar recalls. 'And I remember thinking, 'This doesn't look too hard. I could do this.'' Most people let thoughts like that fade with the dust. Omar didn't. By the time he returned home, he'd already made up his mind. He bought a vehicle, started tweaking it, and threw himself into the wild world of off-road rallying. Just months later, he entered his first-ever race at the Sarfaranga Desert Rally in the dramatic high-altitude landscape of Gilgit-Baltistan. He made it to the podium on his debut. That was all the fuel he needed. A sport that humbles you Since that unexpected first win, Omar has raced through the iconic deserts of Cholistan, Thar, and beyond, each terrain offering its own version of beauty, brutality, and chaos. 'Every rally is unpredictable. Sometimes it's soft sand that slows you down, other times it's river crossings or high-speed stretches where one wrong move can end it all,' he says. 'I've had breakdowns in the middle of nowhere. I've even flipped my car. You think you're in control and then the desert reminds you who's boss.' Yet, he keeps coming back. Not just for the thrill, but for the bond that forms between racers, machines, and the vast, untamed land they race across. 'There's a rush, yes. But there's also this strange peace. The desert doesn't lie rather it tests your patience, your preparation, and your grit. That's what keeps me going.' More than just a driver Desert rallying, as it turns out, is far from a one-man show. 'In off-roading, the co-driver is your lifeline. They're reading the terrain, guiding you, calling the shots, you trust their voice more than your own instincts,' Omar says. 'It's like they're in your head, steering your reactions.' And then there's the machine. Omar races with a heavily modified off-roader, fine-tuned for the kind of punishment that would snap an ordinary vehicle in half. 'Everyone talks about horsepower and speed, but safety comes first. Roll cages, racing harnesses, reinforced underbodies, those are non-negotiable. You're literally trusting your life to this build.' Still, no matter how much you prepare, the desert has a way of throwing a curveball. 'It's a machine. You can do everything right and it can still surprise you. That's rallying.' Not just twice a year While some assume desert rallies are seasonal thrills, Omar's calendar tells a different story. 'I don't just race once or twice a year. I go whenever I can, if the car's ready and I'm ready, I'm racing,' he says. Preparation is a year-round effort. Between rallies, his team tears the car down, fixes wear and tear, installs upgrades, and studies each track like a chessboard. 'I race with OC Racing, which is part of Max Dirt, Pakistan's biggest off-road racing team. Asif bhai, the founder, has been a massive support. He doesn't just help with logistics, he mentors us. Always pushing us to learn more, race smarter, get better.' For Omar, each rally is a learning experience. The seniors offer feedback. Mistakes become lessons. And victories? They're just milestones on a much longer road. 'As long as I'm learning, I'm happy,' he says. 'I don't know what the future holds that's Allah's domain. But I know I want to keep racing, keep pushing, and represent Pakistan in this sport with everything I've got.' Racing for more than trophies As Pakistan marks another Independence Day, Omar's journey is a fitting reminder that patriotism isn't always wrapped in flags or speeches. Sometimes, it's found in a revving engine, a roll cage, and a trail of dust across the homeland's most challenging terrains. 'You feel it when you're out there, this pride in the land you're racing on,' he says. 'It's wild, unforgiving, but it's ours. And being part of that, it's something else.'
Al Etihad
14-08-2025
- Al Etihad
Under the patronage of Nahyan bin Zayed, 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival to take place from August 15-24
14 Aug 2025 10:16 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival will take place from August 15-24, by the Abu Dhabi Chess & Mind Games Club under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, with total prizes amounting to Dh 500, year's festival will have the largest number of participants in its history, with more than 3,000 players representing 82 countries – an increase of more than 500 participants compared to the previous edition – placing it among the world's leading chess festivals, surpassing many prestigious international festival will feature 27 tournaments covering various age groups and skill levels, led by the Masters Tournament, along with three new mind sports competitions: checkers, dominoes, and Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) – a step that reflects the diversity and appeal of the activities to a broader audience of mind games Abdullah Al Khouri, Chairman of the Organising Committee, emphasised that the festival has become one of the most important events on the global chess calendar, attracting top-tier players from around the world. He stressed that this sustained success over more than three decades reflects the wise vision and continuous support of the UAE Khouri said: 'We are proud that the Abu Dhabi festival is a global platform that brings together chess champions from all continents, and we see it as an opportunity to enhance the UAE's reputation as a leading hub for sports and cultural events.'He also praised the support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the sponsorship of strategic partners, led by e& Group, Nirvana Holding, the Italian International School, Mohammed Rasool Khoory & Sons, Radisson Blu Hotel, and St. Regis Hotel, valuing their contributions to the success of the on the competition, Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, highlighted that the continuous organisation of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival for over three decades reaffirms its status as one of the world's most prominent chess and mind sports Awani said: 'The strong turnout of elite international players and participants from all over the world reflects the trust and prestige the festival enjoys, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's role as a key destination on the global sports map." He added: "This success is the result of the unlimited support of our wise leadership and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which have enabled the festival to grow into an exceptional platform for discovering talent, honing the skills of local players, and promoting cultural and sporting exchange among nations."'I am also pleased to take this opportunity to commend the great efforts of the Abu Dhabi Chess & Mind Games Club in developing the game of chess through a range of plans, programmes, courses, and hosting initiatives which have fulfilled the club's founding mission.'At the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, we reaffirm our support for this major annual event on Abu Dhabi's sports calendar. We are proud of its global significance and its appeal to international players from across the globe, and we wish everyone success.'Faisal Ahmed Al Shihi, Festival Director, confirmed that the 31st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival continues to shine by achieving record participation numbers, with more than 3,000 players from 82 countries already confirmed. The fact that the festival has been running for 31 consecutive years is a clear testament to its success and distinction as one of the world's top chess fans can look forward to the participation of the UAE's top players, led by Imran Al Hosani – West Asia Youth Champion, Arab Youth Champion, and UAE Men's Champion –and Roza Issa Al Serkal, alongside an elite lineup of world champions in various age categories, headed by Masters Tournament top seed Sanan Sjugirov and second seed Arkadij Naiditsch. Also representing the UAE in different age categories are national champion Ammar Al Sderani, Arab Girls Champion Ahlam Rashid, Abdulrahman Al Taher, and Hamad Al matches will be broadcast live on the websites of the International, Asian, and Arab Chess Federations, allowing fans worldwide to follow the action moment by panel of international arbiters is chaired by Saeed Ahmed Al Khouri, with the participation of arbiters from the UAE, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Romania, and the Philippines. The festival also serves as a cultural and tourism showcase for Abu Dhabi, offering participating delegations the opportunity to explore the UAE capital's landmarks and cultural heritage through accompanying tourism programmes, further enhancing its status as a global destination for both sport and tourism. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
12-08-2025
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival to kick off its biggest edition on August 15
13 Aug 2025 00:24 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival is set to return for its biggest edition on Friday, organisers 31st edition of the highly anticipated event will take place from August 15 to 24 at Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi – by the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the festival brings together players of all ages and skill levels for a series of FIDE-regulated Dhabi International Chess Festival has expanded its scope from 27 tournaments in the previous editions to 29 this year — including the International Masters Tournament, the Open Championship, the Family Chess Championship, children's tournaments, and competitions for seniors aged 55 and over, among others. 'This reflects a trend toward intensifying focus on quality events and equipment for each category. A large group of international players are participating,' Saeed Ahmed Al Khouri, Executive Director at the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games, told Aletihad . The total prize pool stands at over $126,500, with $55,000 allocated to the International Masters alone, marking an increase of $25,000 from last year, he tournament is open to players rated above 2300, except club members.'The organisers are providing free accommodation for players with an international rating of 2600 and above (men) and ≥2400 (women). Fifteen low-value invitation cards (2300) are also being awarded to provide an opportunity for emerging international stars,' Al Khouri part of its mission to nurture Emirati talent, the festival includes competitions for youth aged 16 and under, with categories for players as young as five, he said. There are also special tournaments for girls under the age of 16 and for the club's private are exempted from fees, thanks to the support of Abu Dhabi Chess Academy, Al Khouri women's participation is another priority for the festival's organisers.'We organise tournaments specifically for women, allocate cash prizes for the 'best player' in each category, and hold more than one competition for young women. We are also studying the possibility of establishing parallel academic programmes; cultural and educational — to balance the competitive and educational aspects of the festival,' Al Khouri will be broadcast live on the FIDE website and Asian and Arab platforms, with live analysis supported by artificial intelligence and comprehensive coverage, Al Khouri Dhabi International Chess Festival pulls in thousands of participants and visitors from as many as 82 countries — but more are expected this year. 'Last year, there were 2,200 players, and we expect to exceed that this year,' Al Khouri said. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
