Doha
• Class One Doha 2007 – the Qatar Grand Prix race action is set to
ruffle the calm waters of Doha from tomorrow with
eleven teams vying
for the World Powerboat Championship. UAE based Arif Said Al Zafeen and
Jean-Marc Sanchez of Victory 77, lead the championship race followed
by Qatar 96 Team, spearheaded by Qatar Motor Sport Federation QMSF)
President, Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani and team-mate Matteo
Nicolini who are lying in the second place in the overall championship
standings.
The
QMSF president is banking on the smooth waters of Doha to glean maximum
number of points from the home race in his bid to take on the current
leaders –Victory 77.
And
one woman who is overseeing that Hassan and all the other competitors
have a smooth ride in a strongly male dominated sport of Water
Sports –
by organising things for the competitors – is Mona Nasser Saroor Al
Abdulla donning the role of an administrator.
Mona’s appointment as Race Secretary comes from QMSF for the 6th leg of the seven stop powerboat racing championship.
And
her multi dimensional role of organisation and implementation does not
end in just organising things for the competitors. As Race Secretary ,
she follows up on a host of public relations needs and dealing with the
media, managing VIPs, coordinating with government bodies and
overseeing travel and hospitality arrangements.
“Handling
this event is a huge challenge and an opportunity to reflect Qatar’s
professionalism and our capability to host international sporting
events,” says Mona.
As
Race Secretary Mona is also the interface between - International
Offshore Team Association (IOTA) World Professional Powerboat
Association (WPPA), Qatar’s Government bodies and all other
organisations involved in QMSF events.
Mona reiterated the QMSF commitment by saying:
“For
us at QMSF every international event is an opening to take sports to a
higher level. In this championship our focus is on efficiency.
“Preparation
and set up of the race is a complex affair. It involves technical and
non-technical functions – setting up a mini-city on the Corniche, with
portable cabins and communication equipment, housing the world’s most
powerful boats, meeting media needs of an international sporting event,
and planning events for the spectators – that goes into ensuring a
satisfactory experience for them.”
Mona also ensures that all the permissions and clearances are in place for the race.
She
says: “There are regulatory bodies governing the infrastructure of a
country and official channels that need to give permission for this
event.”
Qatar has had woman sports administrators in the past and Mona brings a high degree of efficiency and is committed to a cause.
According
to her team-mates she brings in a fresh energy and a high degree of
efficiency. And one area she diligently takes her care is overseeing
the VIP area of the event.
“These
key (VIP) individuals make a tremendous contribution to the development
of sport by engaging themselves in events. It is their support that
leads to sponsorships, and no sport can reach its full potential
without the support of sponsors. So we reserve our best for them.”
As
she plays her role as a multitasking woman Mona gratefully acknowledges
the unstinted support of the QMSF team and her family.
“There
is a great advantage in coming from a Qatari background. Our close-knit
community teaches us to work together; to depend on each other to reach
common goals. I carry this inspiration to my work place as well. And I
have witnessed this unified mindset accomplishing much within the
competitive world of international sport. I am excited about the event
that lies ahead and look forward to efficiently delivering a great
experience to competitors, spectators, VIPs, and the media as the race
takes place on our home waters.”
The
seven-leg World Powerboat Championship penultimate round takes place in
Doha from November 15 to 16 and the championship culminates in Dubai.