(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Qatar will host the 47th World Military Sailing Championship in the month of November, it was announced here yesterday.
The nine-day championship will be held from November 22-30 and sailors from 25 countries are expected to take part, the organisers of the event, the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, said.
Addressing a press conference, Staff Major General Mohamed bin Naser Al Muhanadi, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, said: "We have sent an official invitation to the International Council of Military Sports (CISM), which in turn has sent invitations to the 134 member states. The last World Military Sailing Championship saw the participation of 13 countries. Therefore, I expect Doha to witness the participation of 20 to 25."
The official announcement on the number of countries taking part in the championship will be made after October 22.
"We will know the exact number of countries taking part only after October 22, which is the last date to submit entries," Al Muhanadi said.
"The Military Sport Association, headed by Staff Major General Dahlan Al Hmad, has a major role in hosting this great event and the support from the Supreme Organsing Committee is crucial. The Qatar Sailing Federation, headed by Khalifa Mohamed Al Suwaidy, and the Qatar Armed Forces will be responsible for organising and managing the championship. And we will also get support from the Qatar Olympic Committee," Al Muhanadi added.
The goal of the championship, Al Muhanadi said, is to promote the motto of CISM, "Friendship through Sport".
The races will be flagged off from Doha Sailing Club and each team will consist of two sailors, the captain and the sailor, said Brigadier General Hassan Al Jassim, Chairman of the championship.
"All the boats that will be seen in action will be provided by the organisers. We have contracted a company, which will provide 25 identical boats for the event. We are looking forward to strengthening our relationship with the CISM and member states. The CISM has nominated the Chairman of the Sailing Technical Committee as his representative for this championship," said Al Jassim.
Sailors taking part in the championship will undergo dope tests, said Staff brigadier General Jumah Saeed Al Kubaisi, Vice-chairman of the organising Committee.
"In coordination with the medical services of Aspetar, the medical specifications of the championship will be taken care of," Al Kubaisi said.
On Qatar's participation at the championship, Al Kubaisi said the hosts will field only a men's team.
"According to the regulation of the CISM, each country is allowed to participate with a men's team and a women's team, but we will only participate in the men's event," added Kubaisi.
The organisers have forwarded the following names of people who will be officiating at the championship: Lev Rold, Chairman of the Referees Committee, referees Kristian Volken, Jadesh Singh, Isa Bosmait, Trets Pronteng, Thomas Chris, Busomson and Ali Halky. The Qatari officials will be assistant referees for the championship, the organisers said.
Meanwhile, a committee has been formed to conduct the championship, which will function under the leadership of Al Muhanandi, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee.
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