(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) As part of efforts to increase the number of participants, four new overseas liaison offices for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge has been opened by the organisers.

Covering the UK and Ireland, Holland and Belgium, Russia, Ukraine and the former CIS Nations, and South Africa, the four new representative offices have been given the key responsibility to boost competitor numbers from those countries as the event is now counting down to its 25th anniversary this year.

The Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE, the rally organisers, say the appointments will also help to grow the event's global TV audience, which exceeded 64 million viewers for the 24th edition last April of the world's ultimate desert rally.

"We're committed to the continued development of the Desert Challenge and have taken steps to make it a bigger and better event as we prepare for its 25th anniversary," said ATCUE President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, founder of the rally and FIA Vice President.

"We have chosen people who have strong connections with cross country rally teams and competitors in their respective regions to operate the four new liaison offices.

"We're confident they will help us attract more experienced drivers and riders into the Desert Challenge, and that this will increase media interest in the event in those countries, resulting in more growth of our global audience." The 25th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, taking place from 27th March to 2nd April, is part of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship for bikes.

In another new Desert Challenge appointment, Hofheim-based Tony Schattat Rallye Navigation Solutions take over liaison responsibilities for Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Other existing liaison offices cover Sweden, Finland and Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland, as well as Italy, Slovenia and Slovakia.