The Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) is stepping up efforts to create a growing role for Emiratis in shaping the country’s future as one of the world’s leading motor sport destinations. As a result of an intensive ATCUAE recruitment and training program over the last three years, Emirati officials and volunteers will play a bigger than ever role in ensuring the safe and efficient running of this year’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.
As part of its efforts to maintain this trend, the Club today staged the first in a scheduled series of special training programs at the Mövenpick Hotel Deira with the aim of expanding and developing its team of home-grown motor sport officials and volunteers.
The Train-the-Trainer program teaches experienced members of the current ATCUAE team necessary skills needed to train others to become effective motorsport officials and volunteers in the future.
The training program was conducted by Dr. Eoghan O’Grady, Head of the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), who designed the syllabus in conjunction with the Motorsport Knowledge Institute (MKI), the ATCUAE’s education and training division.
ATCUAE President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “A third of the MKI officials and volunteers taking part in today’s training program are Emiratis. Turning them into competent trainers, not just competent motorsport officials will help us attract more UAE nationals into the sport.
“In 2009 we launched a five-year plan to establish a permanent pool of UAE-based motorsport marshals to service the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the growing overall needs of motorsport in the Emirates.
“We achieved that target two years ahead on schedule, but we want to build on this platform and ensure that Emiratis play a growing role in the future of motor sport in the UAE.”
The MKI was established by Sulayem following the ATCUAE’s elevation to the status of FIA Institute Approved Regional Training Provider in December 2011.
The Club is now one of only four national organizations worldwide entrusted to deliver motor sport training programs on behalf of the FIA, the sport’s governing body.
