Friday 15 / November / 2024
Muscat: A new timing system underwent trials under supervision during the second stage of the rally tournament at the Oman Automobile Association, held on Thursday.
Anwar bin Ali Sumar Al Zadjali, advisor for the OAA and Chairman of the Judges Committee at the Oman Rally Tournament, said, “The tournament launched with the participation of nine contestants who passed the technical examination on Thursday, but health and technical problems occurred for the drivers of two cars.”
“Contestant Zakaria Al Awfi, champion of the Oman Rally tournament for the last season 2018-2019, burnt his hand as he repaired his car. He was transferred to hospital and is in good health,” he said.
“A contestant Hamed Al Qasimi saw a technical failure in his car. Both withdrew from the tournament so the rally kicked off with seven cars.”
He added, “This rally tour included four stages: the northern Misfah stage, the city of Irfan in the airport heights, Misfat II stage, and the Irfan II city stage. This tournament was characterised by a new system of timing and results, where a specialist from the State of Portugal who determined the results attended via satellite communication system and Wi-Fi,” he said.
Major Hilal bin Mohammed Al Harrasi, member of the Council of Oman Automobile Association (OAA), crowned the winners at the end of tournament. Speaking to Times of Oman, he said, “I am very happy to be here at this tournament and I had the honour of crowning the winners. I am also happy to see new competitors and new winners and I hope that the number of participants in the next tournament will increase.”
“I congratulate the winners and I wish success to the rest of the contestants and I thank the organisers, caretakers and all the teams of the Oman Automobile Association and I also thank all the official authorities of the Royal Oman Police (ROP), the Public Authority of Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA), and the Ministry of Defence for providing security, safety and services as well as logistics,” he said.
Al Waleed Al Musafer won the first place in the tournament. This is his first participation and he is also the youngest to take part in this tournament at 18 years. Zakaria Al Ameri won the second position.
This tournament was held ahead of an international tournament to be held in the Sultanate of Oman in January 2020 in the presence of a number of international rally champions from all over the world with the participation of 22 countries besides the Sultanate of Oman, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab, European countries, America and for the first time, contestants from Africa as well.
Al Waleed Al Musafer, who won the first place at the tournament, said, “I did not participate in previous tournaments that involved drift or rallies but I am very happy with my participation in this tournament. I won the first place, I encountered some technical problems in the second stage, but I was able to overcome them with persistence and perseverance.”
Falah Al Falahi a 51-year-old, who won the third place, said, “I would like to make it clear to all young people and the public that age is not a barrier from achieving your aspirations, ambitions, exercising your hobbies and attaining first positions. One should never despair and should not listen to those who frustrate your resolve.”
