TAIF, 2 August 2006 — British coaches Al Sutton and Richie Haynes are in town for the 14th Arab Cycling Championship now under way here.
Their visit is within the framework of the government-to-government agreement to foster cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Britain in the sporting field, signed in 1987.
This agreement is administered by BAE Systems in conjunction with the General Presidency of Youth Welfare.
The two coaches are both first time visitors to the Kingdom. They are here to help officiate the championship.
Speaking to Arab News in an interview at the hotel where the players and officials are staying they said, “This is the first time we visit the Kingdom and we are very happy to see the huge development in the country.
Jeddah looked very beautiful from the sky before we landed. We were happy with the reception in Jeddah and the weather in Taif was more than beautiful and it is very different from Jeddah.”
They said that the championship was very well organized and the Egyptian team is expected to dominate the adult level and Saudi Arabia the youth level.
The British duo compared the sport of cycling between Europe and Saudi Arabia. They said that the sport took roots in Europe a long time ago and that is why the sport is more popular in Europe than Saudi Arabia.
In Europe, the two added, cycling has become a million-dollar industry and the advertising is helping in financing the sport. There are legions of fans watching the sport in Europe.
“There are a young group in the Arab federation that have the drive and the energy to transform this sport in the region. This needs planning and big support. It needs to establish championships inside cities and villages where the start and finish of the race happens inside the city. People need to see this sport and only through proper exposure and promotion can you attract many people to watch it.
This sport needs media support and carry the competition on television to reach as many audience as possible. The sport also needs more financial support from the advertising,” they chorused.
Meanwhile, Egyptian champion Muhammad Abdul Aziz won first place in the 30 kilometers race with a time of 36.37 minutes.
Saudi champion Badr Al-Yaseen finished second checking in 20 seconds behind the Egyptian cyclist. Algerian rider Mukhtar Abdul Kader took the third position.
In the 25 kilometers race, another Egyptian, Kareem Ahmad, won in 32:36 followed by Suleiman Shurait in the second place in 33:26 and Saudi Ayman Jabarti in 33:20.
