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Abu Dhabi: Officials and sport fans in the UAE were delighted with the announcement of the Dubai Racing Channel by Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and said it was long-awaited and will usher in exciting viewing.
Speaking to Gulf News from the UK, Saeed Al Tayer, Vice President of the Emirates Racing Association, said, "This is great news and the announcement is also appropriately timed. The interest in sport in the region is tremendous and this channel is a great gift to the people of the region."
"We have been waiting for something like this. I am happy and we are sure that this new channel will help the growth of sport in the UAE," said Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, General Manager of the Dubai Equestrian Club.
Sultan Abdullah Al Marzouki, Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, said: "Equestrian sport and traditional sport like camel racing will now reach a larger audience. Commercial aspects play a major role in modern sport and with the dedicated telecast of such sport the graph will certain rise further. It is an amazing move."
Great idea
"It is a great idea and people both in the country and in the outside world will get to see and enjoy camel racing. Many people do not understand how sport is organized in the UAE and this will be another platform to showcase our development. Also with flat-racing, show-jumping and endurance events from around the world to be telecast, the new channel is warmly welcomed," said Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, Racing Manager for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Fin-ance.
Newly-elected Chess Federation president and CEO of Hydra Properties, Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, said: "The special focus on sporting disciplines like horse racing, camel racing and other sport reflects the emphasis on the UAE's culture and heritage."
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