“ EMIRATI WOMEN ARE THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF THE COUNTRY AND ESSENTIAL TO ITS FUTURE PROSPERITY “
HH SHEIKHA FATIMA BINT MUBARAK MOTHER OF THE NATION
Alia has followed her father since childhood and is familiar with every aspect of each sport he was involved in. She played football in high school and even tried jiu-jitsu, but when given the opportunity behind a powerboat, she took to it like duck to water.
“At the beginning, I was looking up to my father mostly. Seeing him race and his involvement in the sport so passionately encouraged me to start,” Alia told The National.
“Aside from that, I loved the sea and I liked to be challenged. So, all three combined, I got into sports. I played a lot of football and also tried jiu-jitsu, but it is powerboat racing that I fell in love with after my first try.”
Alia had her first go behind a G15 engine on one of her visits to Norway with her father in 2022.
She drove a powerboat for the first time in a non-championship race and impressed her father as well as his Norwegian team manager and former F4 world champion Frode Sundsdal.
Watching her first spin behind a GT15, Fairooz and Sundsdal saw Alia’s potential.
“She impressed everyone and I had lots of positive feedback on her racing abilities, skills and talent. I asked her if she would like to pursue powerboat racing full-time and she readily agreed,” Fairooz said.
“Of course, she was quite familiar with racing boats from her childhood and has been driving them whenever we were on holidays in Norway. She’s now serious and wants to pioneer the sport as the first Emirati female powerboat racing driver.”
The UAE Marine Sports Federation has granted Alia authorisation to race under the nation’s flag when she makes her debut in the Scandinavian Championship.
“We wish Alia all the success. We strongly believe she will inspire more Emirati women to venture into powerboat racing at the international level and also in various other sports that are widely made available for Emirati girls,” a spokesperson for the federation said.
Alia is thrilled with the support provided by her family and the federation.
“I’m greatly looking forward for my first race in Norway and the opportunity to race in F4 in the local races and the Gulf Championship,” she said.
“Actually, I have been driving these boats for the last two years, mostly in Norway. There, we race in a lake. I have also driven the F4 in the UAE. Here, we race in the sea and its quite tough as the water is quite choppy because of the windy conditions.
Early Life and Inspiration:
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Alia’s involvement in F4 Powerboating is just the beginning. With her growing recognition and the impact of her career, she is likely to inspire a new generation of young women in the UAE and the Middle East to pursue their passions, regardless of societal expectations.
She embodies the spirit of determination and breaking limits, encouraging women everywhere to follow their dreams.
She took part in various races and progressively worked her way up to the prestigious F4 Powerboat Championship. The championship is known for its tough competition, requiring competitors to have not only physical stamina but also a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the boat, navigation, and racing strategy.
Despite the challenges, Alia has steadily built her reputation as a skilled and fearless competitor. Her entry into the F4 series is a significant step not only for her but for the entire region, as it challenges stereotypes about women’s roles in motorsports.
