Latest news with #AbuDhabiCup
Ya Biladi
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan jockeys dominate at the inaugural UAE-Moroccan Festival in Casablanca
The Anfa Sand Track in Casablanca hosted the first edition of the UAE-Moroccan Festival on Saturday, celebrating the two nations' shared passion for the equestrian world. Organized by Morocco's national agency for the promotion and development of the horse industry, SOREC, in partnership with the UAE President's Cup (Group 3 PA)—a prestigious international race for Purebred Arabians—the festival featured eight exciting races. Two of the festival's prestigious races were claimed by Moroccan jockeys. Notably, the UAE President's Cup race, considered one of the most well-endowed races on the Moroccan equestrian calendar, was won by Moroccan jockey Faddoul Abderrahim, representing Daissaoui Mohamed Studs and riding Buraak. The race, which saw 17 jockeys participate, offered generous prize allocations of up to 2,500,000 dirhams for the winners. The second major race of the day, the Abu Dhabi Cup, was also won by a Moroccan jockey. This time, it was Khalid Ibba who triumphed on Almohiba Fal from the FAL Stud. «We are happy today that the horses of the Moroccan owners have won the two important races of the day», commented Omar Skalli, SOREC's General Director, after presenting the prizes to the two jockeys. «This is the result of a very important and fruitful collaboration between the organizers of the UAE President's Cup and SOREC», Skalli said, reflecting on the first edition of the UAE-Moroccan Festival. Celebrating a strong partnership He further emphasized the significance of the partnership: «We have already worked together. This race (the UAE President's Cup race) was organized during the 10th edition of the Morocco International Meeting in November, but together with the organizers, we decided to dedicate it to a full festival, highlighting not only the importance of our collaboration but also the quality of the Moroccan races». Skalli also highlighted Morocco's special position in the international racing world, noting that while the UAE President's Cup race is organized in about 15 countries, «Morocco is the only country to host an entire festival dedicated to it». Faisal Al Rahmani, the General Secretary of the UAE President's Cup Series High Committee for Purebred Arabian Horses, echoed this enthusiasm, sharing his excitement about the event: «I am very happy to be here with SOREC, which has a long history of achievements. I believe this is just the beginning, not the end. The future will bring surprises and even better rewards». «As time passes, next year's event will be much bigger and more regular, far beyond what you see today», Al Rahmani continued, offering a hopeful outlook for future editions. In addition to these two international races, the UAE-Moroccan Festival also included six national races. The Prix Damas was won by Khalid Ibba on Ibn Dahess FAL, while the Prix Floralys went to Omar Lakjal on Tulip Grine. The Prix Mayar was claimed by Kacem Faddoul on Volver, and the Prix Qadem was won by Zouhair Madihi on Bint Metrag Angad. Omar Lakjal triumphed again in the Prix Sprint, this time on Frere Grine, and the Prix Dragon was claimed by Rachid Ban Doukia on Chahid Green.
Ya Biladi
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan jockeys dominate at the inaugural UAE-Moroccan Festival in Casablanca
The Anfa Sand Track in Casablanca hosted the first edition of the UAE-Moroccan Festival on Saturday, celebrating the two nations' shared passion for the equestrian world. Organized by Morocco's national agency for the promotion and development of the horse industry, SOREC, in partnership with the UAE President's Cup (Group 3 PA)—a prestigious international race for Purebred Arabians—the festival featured eight exciting races. Two of the festival's prestigious races were claimed by Moroccan jockeys. Notably, the UAE President's Cup race, considered one of the most well-endowed races on the Moroccan equestrian calendar, was won by Moroccan jockey Faddoul Abderrahim, representing Daissaoui Mohamed Studs and riding Buraak. The race, which saw 17 jockeys participate, offered generous prize allocations of up to 2,500,000 dirhams for the winners. The second major race of the day, the Abu Dhabi Cup, was also won by a Moroccan jockey. This time, it was Khalid Ibba who triumphed on Almohiba Fal from the FAL Stud. «We are happy today that the horses of the Moroccan owners have won the two important races of the day», commented Omar Skalli, SOREC's General Director, after presenting the prizes to the two jockeys. «This is the result of a very important and fruitful collaboration between the organizers of the UAE President's Cup and SOREC», Skalli said, reflecting on the first edition of the UAE-Moroccan Festival. Celebrating a strong partnership He further emphasized the significance of the partnership: «We have already worked together. This race (the UAE President's Cup race) was organized during the 10th edition of the Morocco International Meeting in November, but together with the organizers, we decided to dedicate it to a full festival, highlighting not only the importance of our collaboration but also the quality of the Moroccan races». Skalli also highlighted Morocco's special position in the international racing world, noting that while the UAE President's Cup race is organized in about 15 countries, «Morocco is the only country to host an entire festival dedicated to it». Faisal Al Rahmani, the General Secretary of the UAE President's Cup Series High Committee for Purebred Arabian Horses, echoed this enthusiasm, sharing his excitement about the event: «I am very happy to be here with SOREC, which has a long history of achievements. I believe this is just the beginning, not the end. The future will bring surprises and even better rewards». «As time passes, next year's event will be much bigger and more regular, far beyond what you see today», Al Rahmani continued, offering a hopeful outlook for future editions. In addition to these two international races, the UAE-Moroccan Festival also included six national races. The Prix Damas was won by Khalid Ibba on Ibn Dahess FAL, while the Prix Floralys went to Omar Lakjal on Tulip Grine. The Prix Mayar was claimed by Kacem Faddoul on Volver, and the Prix Qadem was won by Zouhair Madihi on Bint Metrag Angad. Omar Lakjal triumphed again in the Prix Sprint, this time on Frere Grine, and the Prix Dragon was claimed by Rachid Ban Doukia on Chahid Green.
The National
18-02-2025
- Sport
- The National
Andres Iniesta attends Man City's record-breaking 2025 Abu Dhabi Cup
World Cup winner and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta was among the record crowds as Manchester City hosted their biggest ever Abu Dhabi Cup at the weekend. Iniesta was joined by more than 6,000 supporters at Zayed Sports City in the UAE capital where around 2,500 players from 22 nations made the 2025 staging of the tournament the most ambitious to date. A total of 180 teams played nearly 650 games across two days of action, including 61 sides from outside the UAE, travelling from as far and wide as Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Russia, Belarus and Turkmenistan. 'The feeling is very good, amazing facilities,' said Iniesta, who retired last year after spending the final season of his illustrious career in the Adnoc Pro League with Emirates Club. 'We are here to enjoy the football [and have had an] amazing time.' Boys' categories ranged from U8 through to U16s, while more than 30 girls' teams competed from U13 to U17 level. A total of 1,521 goals were scored during the two days. Hosts Manchester City flew academy sides over from the UK, while UAE clubs Al Jazira, Baniyas, Al Wahda and Al Ain were all represented. The winners of the cup competition from each age group were entered into a special prize draw, with Al Seeb from Oman (U14 boys) winning a trip to visit and train at the Etihad Campus in Manchester – and watch a Manchester City first-team game live. U12 Plate winners GR7 Academy won a coaching clinic from Manchester City coaches, who will travel to work with the team in their home country of Oman. Former City player Nedum Onuoha doubled up as an ambassador for the tournament and as a guest coach for the City Football School's boys' U14 team. He said: 'The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup was a fantastic experience and it was great to see so many players from around the world take to the pitch and play the beautiful game with smiles on their faces. I was really impressed with the action I saw and hopefully this tournament cannot only further inspire the players to develop themselves but also allow other players to take up the sport and play the game in the future.' Simon Hewitt, Director of Football Operations MENA for City Football Group, said: 'The 2025 edition of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup has been a record breaker. Since its inception in 2017 we have seen phenomenal growth in the tournament, and to welcome more than 60 international teams to Abu Dhabi, and 180 teams overall, is testament to the impact this competition has on a global scale. 'Seeing all the boys and girls having fun this weekend was a joy, and the level of football on display was exceptional. We thank all the players, teams, coaches, parents, and supporters, for making this a very special two days.'
