Dubai, UAE, 09 March, 2016:  FIA President Jean Todt and Mohammed Ben Sulayem (pictured above) met at FIA Sports HQ in Geneva to review motorsport development in the UAE. The meeting coincided with the tenth anniversary of the Emirati heading ATCUAE and the 50th year of ATCUAE. 

The meeting also coincided with the 50th year of Todt in motorsport “Jean has enjoyed fifty remarkable years in the sport, as a world champion co-driver, as a successful team manager in Formula 1 and Rallying, as FIA President and of late as a pioneer for road safety ‘’ said ben Sulayem who presented Todt with a copy of the UAE postage stamp issued to mark the foundation of ATCUAE. 

Todt and Sulayem reviewed motorsport issues in the UAE including the introduction of Formula 4, a first in the region , schools Karting and the strong growth in the popularity of Bajas events in recent years. The training and development needs of the the UAEs 1400 officials was also discussed.

Ben Sulayem outlined plans for the development of the the ATCUAE –E Academy, the worlds first E-Learning platform for motorsport officials including the creation of a concussion protocol and education video for parents, officials and competitors.

“ Concussion is a big issue for all sports and motorsport needs to play a leading role “ explained Ben Sulayem.

The meeting comes less than a month ahead of the 26th Abu Dhabi Desert challenge, the Middle East’s first world championship motor sport event, which has had an unbroken run of success since being launched by Sulayem in 1991.

Taking place from 2-7 April under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western region, the Desert Challenge is the second round of this year’s FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.