Dubai World Air Games promises ‘awe-inspiring’ show

More than 1,200 entries confirmed for fourth edition of the event

28 October 2015

Dubai: An “awe-inspiring” edition of the 2015 Dubai World Air Games (WAG) is on the cards at the SkyDive Dubai from December 1-12, according to members of the event’s higher organising committee. The final programme and schedule for Dubai WAG 2015 was finalised and released to the international and UAE media representatives at a press meeting at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai late on Monday.

As per the latest figures, more than 1,200 competitors from 56 countries have confirmed their participation in 28 different disciplines during the course of the 2015 Dubai WAG. Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council, the two-week long competition promises to bring together a diverse pool of participants.

“This championship has the largest number of confirmed participants and this puts us under pressure to deliver a truly awe-inspiring competition,” Saeed Hareb, Chairman, Higher Organising Committee, WAG told Gulf News.

“By now, we have a distinct style of organising events that we often refer to as the Dubai style. We have our own local volunteers, our own support staff who work very hard at hosting successful events through the year. The World Air Games is going to be no different and we are convinced to stage the best-ever edition of the Games to coincide with the UAE National Day,” he added.

Yousuf Al Hammadi, Championship Director, explained the rules and technicalities involved in the staging of the WAG in Dubai. “These Games will be the Olympics of air games and we are braced for the presence of some of the top sportspersons along with their family and friends,” Al Hammadi said.

Al Hammadi reviewed the preparations that have been made so far, while confirming that the organising committee has constantly been in touch with members of the FAI to ensure that only the best practices are adhered to.

“Since the past three years, we have been staging our annual Dubai International Parachuting Championship [DIPC], and this has been a learning curve for us. We have played host to some of the biggest names from the air sports industry. So hosting a competition like the World Air Games is not just a welcome challenge but also an opportunity for us to continue showcasing Dubai to the world,” Al Hammadi said.

At least five drop zones have been identified to conduct competitions in the 28 different disciplines. While Sky Dive Dubai will be the main base, there will be drop zones at Al Sufouh Beach, Jebel Ali Racecourse, Margham desert and the ice rink at Dubai Mall — the venue for the aero-modelling competitions on November 30 and December 1.