Omantel to sponsor Oman Karting Team Al Rawahi brothers eye more glory in new season
MUSCAT — Oman’s gokarting siblings Sanad and Abdullah al Rawahi, after having did the Sultanate proud with their exploits, are eyeing more glory in the new season with participation in international races, including the Fia/ CIK Under-18 World Championship.
Al Rawahi brothers spoke about their targets for 2012-13 during a ceremony organised at the Omantel Headquarters to reveal the Oman Karting Team’s future plans and to unveil Omantel as the major sponsor of the team.
“Last year, we achieved good results in the Under-18 World Championship. The Omani team is always among the top teams of the world. This is very clear from the fact that they have won the titles in both senior and junior competitions which were held recently in UAE with Abdullah emerging the junior champ and Sanad taking the senior title,” said Oman Karting Team Manager Suleiman al Rawahi.
“So it was a great learning experience for the boys, especially in the Rotax Max Chal- lenge Grand Finals as well as the Under-18 World Competition. This year too they will be taking part in the two championships in order to gain more experience. The aim is to get more exposure and then move to proper car racing in 2013,” Suleiman, who is the father of two karting talents, added.
Sanad and Abdullah expressed joy over taking part in the Under-18 world competition that will be held on tier stages.
“It is a great pleasure and a source of pride for me to represent the Sultanate at such prestigious competition. The participation will provide thrust and impetus for karting lovers and will encourage many to enhance their karting skill,” he said.
On the occasion, the team also sealed a one-year sponsorship deal with Omantel.
Sulaiman al Rawahi and Haitham Abdullah al Kharusi, Vice-Chairman of Consumer Business Unit at Omantel inked the deal in the presence of Oman’s rally legend Hamed al Wahaibi.
In his remarks, Haitham al Kharusi said that the Omantel attaches a great interest in nurturing the Omani young talents especially in sports fields in a bid to raise the flag of the Sul- tanate high at the international competitions.
“Karting is one of the growing sports in Oman and will be a good platform for the young Omani rally drivers. The Omantel has therefore been keen to provide its utmost support for the members of the team who have great potential to become champions in the near future. We have to bear in mind that this team managed to win the title of the karting competition which was recently held in UAE not only in the junior category but also in the senior category as well,” he said.
Thanking
the
sponsors, Sulaiman said: “The support and sponsorship we receive provide us with the required impetus and incentive to do our best and capture the top places henceforth raise the name and flag of the Sultanate high in the international arenas. My special thanks go to Dr Amer bin Awadh al Rowas, CEO of Omantel for sponsoring the team.
“I would also like to thank the Ministry of Sports Affair, KMGO , PDO, Bank Sohar, Road Safety, Sablat Oman, Azzan bin Qais International School, Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (publishers of Oman Daily Observer and Arabic newspaper Oman) for their sponsorship of the team this year. We are also thankful to the Khimji Ramdas who along with PDO have been sponsoring the team for the last two years.”
The Under-18 World Championship starts with Portugal leg from July 5 to 8. The second round will be held in France from August 23 to 26 and the final round will be held in Bahrain from November 7 to 10.