(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Lack of sponsorship has shattered Sanad al Rawahi's hopes of competing in one of the biggest go-karting events in the world - the Rotax International Open - that will be held in the Spanish city of Zuera from October 24-28. Confirming Sanad's pullout from the big event, Suleiman al Rawahi, the Oman Karting Team manager, said, ''We had submitted our entries for both Sanad and his younger brother Abdullah to compete in the event as it is part of the team's plans to give the racers maximum exposure at the international level. But corporate houses didn't support us, which forced us to take the decision.'' Abdullah, 15, has gone for the Zuera event alone while Sanad, 17, and Suleiman stayed back. The Rawahi siblings are the only go-karting drivers from Oman who have achieved success at regional circuits and also participated at the U18 world championship earlier this year. Suleiman, who is also the duo's father and has been playing the leading role in hunting for sponsorship for the racers, said, ''We are grateful to Omantel for supporting the boys. We got support from a few other corporate houses as well. But to compete at the world level, the team needs stronger financial backing. Right now, the two boys don't even have a regular technical staff to assist them. ''Both have enjoyed taking part in international races (U18 worlds and European championships) this year. We had chalked out plans for the season keeping in mind that we would get sponsors on board. But it didn't work out and we had to withdraw Sanad from the Zuera race.'' The duo is next scheduled to compete in the final round of the U18 worlds in Bahrain, from November 7-10. Suleiman said, ''Frankly, I am not yet sure about their participation in Bahrain. They are also supposed to take part in the 13th Rotax Grand Finals in Portimao, Portugal, from November 28 to December 1. Both the boys have qualified for the finals, which itself is quite an achievement. But now, all plans are on hold as the trips will depend on sponsors' support.''
