Team Abu Dhabi Returns to the International Powerboat Racing Stage

Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan has approved Team Abu Dhabi's competitive return to the UIM XCAT World Championship, with the opening round commencing in Fujairah this December.

The waters of the Arabian Gulf have long been a theatre for Abu Dhabi’s sporting ambitions, and now the emirate’s most decorated powerboat racing team is poised to reclaim its place on the world stage. Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, has approved Team Abu Dhabi’s return to the UIM XCAT World Championship, beginning with the Fujairah round in December, reinforcing the emirate’s enduring commitment to excellence in international marine sports.

This move represents far more than a simple comeback. It signals Abu Dhabi’s determination to build upon a legacy of remarkable achievement, strengthening the team’s international presence whilst honouring the competitive spirit that has defined its record. Team Abu Dhabi’s history in the championship speaks eloquently of its pedigree: the team claimed the world title in 2018 and secured runner-up finishes in both 2019 and 2021, establishing itself as a formidable force in the sport.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan articulated the vision underlying this return with clarity and purpose. “Team Abu Dhabi’s return to the XCAT World Championship reflects our commitment to strengthening the team’s presence on the international marine sports stage and building on the achievements secured over the years. We look forward to a strong and competitive campaign that lives up to Abu Dhabi’s name and sporting stature, whilst reflecting our ambition to compete for world titles.”

The championship itself, recognised by the Union Internationale Motonautique, represents the pinnacle of competitive powerboat racing. The return of Team Abu Dhabi signals not merely a team’s reappearance, but a continuation of the emirate’s broader investment in sporting excellence, a philosophy that permeates all levels of its athletic endeavour and cultural institutions.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This return strengthens Abu Dhabi’s international sporting profile at a moment when the emirate continues to cement its position as a global centre of athletic excellence and innovation. Team Abu Dhabi’s competitive campaign will carry the emirate’s reputation across the world’s most prestigious marine sporting venues, demonstrating the calibre of talent, resources and determination that define Abu Dhabi’s approach to international competition.

For the broader marine sports community within the UAE, this return reinforces Abu Dhabi’s leadership role in developing world-class sporting talent and infrastructure. The team’s participation builds upon the emirate’s established culture of sporting achievement and its continued investment in disciplines that showcase the region’s capabilities and competitive spirit on the international stage.

Source: WAM