Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship, held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has come to an end.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club collaborated to organize the three-day competition, which had the common objective of conserving customary contests that represent the UAE’s nautical legacy.
The greatest event of its kind in the region attracted over 1,500 fishermen on more than 360 fishing boats, with a total of over AED 1,000,000 ($272,479) in cash awards. 135 boats supplied 166 kingfish for weighing.
One of the most significant marine sporting events is the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship, which promotes the idea of reviving the local marine heritage, gives amateur fishermen opportunities and rekindles the spirit of competition among marine fishing enthusiasts. It also preserves the popular heritage of kingfishing among Emiratis and encourages the community to practice the sport of fishing.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship was generously sponsored and unrestrictedly supported by Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, according to General Secretary Aref Hamad Al Awani. This reflects the Council’s interest in bringing back traditional marine sports and in encouraging and inviting all facets of society to participate in sports and make it a regular part of everyone’s life.
Al Awani praised the victors, everyone who took part in the competition, and the committees that organized it. In addition, he expressed gratitude to all of the sponsors, supporters, and participants in the first competition, stressing that everyone’s efforts added up to the incredible results that were attained.