Doha: Delegates at the First FIA Sport Regional Congress yesterday deliberated on the motorsports governing body’s plan to support the MENA region.
The participants discussed, as to how countries can request such support as of July 2015, and also the budget allocated to such support.
A great number of international automobile experts and around 70 attendees representing 19 members’ states from the MENA region are attending the First FIA Sport Regional Congress in Kuwait, held under the patronage of the Minister of Information and State minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sheikh Salman Al Hamoud.
Attending the conference are FIA President, Jean Todt; the FIA Vice-President, Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah; the FIA Deputy President for Sport, Graham Stoker; and the CEO of the Kuwait International Automobile Club, Essa Hamza.
Yesterday delegates took part in workshops aimed at discussing ways to develop automobile clubs in the MENA region, at the technical and administrative levels
The workshops considered ways to technically develop car races and championships in the region and addressed the need to ensure the safety of competitors. The organization of the Rally of Egypt, to be held next September, was also one of the topics discussed by the attendees.
Meanwhile, rally consultant for the MENA region Pedro Almeida said the Congress taking place in Kuwait is a very important event for the future of motor sport in the region which has a great potential to improve this sport. Such events, he continued, help to reach that goal.
“The number of participating countries and the presence of FIA President Todt show the importance the FIA gives to this region. That is what we are all fighting for ... to raise the level of the sport in this part of the world”, Almeida said.
Answering a question about how he was supporting the MENA region, Almeida explained: “Over the last four years, I have been the organizer of the Qatar’s Sealine Cross-Country Rally ... We had the opportunity to discuss several matters in motor sport”, indicating that he was invited to participate and offer his assistance, especially on regulations which represent his field of action.
The Peninsula
