RIYADH, 24 January 2007 — Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), received the Kingdom equestrian team and their manager and trainer, Najeeb Al-Barjes, at Kingdom Resort here yesterday.
The prince congratulated the team on their performance during the 2007 Bahrain Endurance Championship which took place recently and awarded them a car each. The Kingdom team had won the first, third and fourth places during the race organized by The Equestrian Royal Federation for Endurance Races, under the patronage of Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, president of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation. The occasion was also attended by Heba Fatani, executive manager of Corporate Communications Department at KHC. “We are delighted at this result and proud to support Saudi female riders who have achieved spectacular results in that race,” said Prince Alwaleed.
Prince Alwaleed sponsored the first Saudi equestrian team comprising three lady riders.
The Kingdom team included Alia Alhwaete, Mohamed Al-Mihlisi Noora Al-Yusuf, Abdulrahman Alhawas, Latifa Alsheikh (the youngest of the participants at 14) and Al Barjes. The team participated in the 120km race in which Mihlisi, Al-Yusuf and Alhwaete claimed the first, third and fourth positions. Sixty riders from around the world participated in the race.
Supported by Prince Alwaleed, the team had trained under the supervision of prominent manager and coach Al-Barjes for the championships. The Kingdom team had returned home to Riyadh to a heroes’ welcome.
Prince Alwaleed first sponsored Alhwaete, first Saudi lady rider, in 2005. Alhwaete participated in the 120 km World Endurance Championship for the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Cup in Seeh Al Silm, on Dec. 22, 2005. Ninety jockeys from around the world participated in the race in which Alia finished seventh. She was given the full support by Prince Alwaleed to pursue her lifetime dream and represent Saudi Arabia as a pioneer equestrienne.
Prince Alwaleed continuously supports and encourages women to excel in all fields. He has previously announced that ladies, who excel in their fields of interest, should come forward and he will fund their interests.
The goal is to break new ground and launch novel opportunities for women in general.
