Doha, Qatar: The 5th Al Mina Pearl Diving for children concluded recently and participants were honoured at the closing ceremony held at Katara Beach. Katara General Manager, Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti led the awarding and closing ceremony which were attended by the parents and families of the children participating in the competition.
The competition saw 168 contestants participating between the ages of 10-15 years old. Salem Mabkhout Al Marri, Katara Director of Public Relations and Communication said: “The competition has achieved increasing success by encouraging children to discover the Qatari marine heritage in all its details, through swimming, diving and fishing, in difficult climatic conditions.”
He expressed his pleasure with the strength, endurance, cooperation and synergy shown by the young sailors during their daily programme on their sailboats. Al Marri pointed out that Qatar’s maritime heritage has regained its brightness and splendour today with the brilliance of the participants in the Al Mina competition, pointing out that their success and distinction in the competitions qualifies them in the coming years to participate in the Senyar fishing and pearl diving competitions. For his part, Saeed Al Kuwari, the supervisor of the competition, expressed his happiness with the exciting competitions witnessed in the activities of the fifth edition, stressing out that the young captains showed courage, daring and audacity during their competitions in pearl diving, fishing and sail snatching. He said that the children have proven their competence and superior skill.
On the other hand, parents of children participating in the event praised the efforts of the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara to revive the Qatari maritime heritage by launching this pioneering heritage competition, noting that it strengthens the relationship between generation of today and the maritime heritage.
