The UAE is set to play a key role in the future of powerboat racing after Emirati Huraiz Bin Mohammad Al Huraiz was elected to the 17-member board of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).

Al Huraiz, the president of the UAE Marine Sports Federation (UAE MSF), was confirmed by the sport’s organising body during the 90th UIM General Assembly in Budva, Montenegro.

“Our primary goal is to work for the development of our sport, not just in the UAE but in the region and beyond,” Bin Huraiz told Gulf News.

“And now with this election I have the added responsibility of continuing to grow our sport in the right direction

“The focus, as always, will be on professionalism, on safety aspects in powerboating and in the fair, free and consistent implementation of the rules all across the world of powerboat racing.”

Al Huraiz joins the UIM at a time of uncertainty. The Class One Offshore season was cancelled this year after every team folded due to financial constraints.

“We’ve got to be honest with ourselves as we know how Class One powerboating had gone out of reach for teams due to the cost factor involved,” the Emirati said.

“The UIM XCATs World Championship has taken the place of Class One on the UIM season calendar, but we’ve got to have that one class of powerboat racing that will be cheaper, more cost-effective for teams, and hence also sustainable for the future.

“A new class of powerboating will be the answer, not just for the teams but for the federations and associations all over the world.”