Tech snags deny first place

Manama : Bahrain Royal Endurance team rider Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa stole the limelight during the 160km and despite a great display was denied first place due to a series of technical errors at the Mansour bin Zayed Endurance cup held in Belgium. 

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, expressed his appreciation towards the efforts made by the Bahrain’s rider Shaikh Mohammed and trainer Abdulhaq Adouri.

“Shaikh Mohammed’s display was outstanding, and he would have topped the podium if not enduring unfortunate incidents and the series of technical mistakes against him. His performance, however, confirms his great experience, which qualifies him to compete against the best in any arena,” said Shaikh Nasser.

Shaikh Nasser described the participation of the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team in the event as ‘positive’.

Shaikh Mohammed lost the race due to technical mistakes committed by the Organising Committee in setting up the guide signs. He reached the finish line with his rivals well-behind him. However, the race’s officials ordered him to go back under the pretext that he had used a different route to the one assigned to reach the finish line amid debates amongst the officials themselves. Eventually, he was sent 500 metres back in order to use the assigned route into the finish line.

But, tiredness took its toll on his horse, allowing French jockey rider Jadrioum to take the lead. At the end, the horse also failed the medical examination conducted after the race due to injury and exhaustion.

Bahrain Royal Endurance Team Manager Dr. Khalid Ahmed and Mr. Qadouri submitted a complaint against the technical errors, and the Organising Committee requested them to file an official one at the International Federation. Shaikh Mohammed was among the first ten riders throughout the five stages of the race.