Dhabi, Nov 11th, 2008 : President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan asserted his keenness for supporting sports and sportspersons in the country, enabling them to harvest more achievements in the regional and international sports events.

Receiving UAE champion rally driver Mohammad Bin Sulayem, who recently assumed the position of the Deputy President of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), at the Al Bateen Palace here today, Sheikh Khalifa also said that through their participation in the sports events, they could reflect a bright picture of UAE across the world.

FIA is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of the world's leading motoring organisations.

Sheikh Khalifa said that the children of UAE, through their sincere efforts, have grown strong enough to raise the honour and reputation of their motherland.

'We are keen for giving them all the necessary support, and for creating an environment for their talents and innovative hopes to thrive, so that they can make more achievements'', Sheikh Khalifa said.

Bin Sulayem expressed profound gratitude to HH President for his continuous support and assistance given to the country's youth in various fields. He dedicated his selection as the Deputy President of FIA to the country and its leadership, saying that it came in appreciation of the country more than of his personal achievements.

Founded in 1904, with headquarters in Paris, the FIA is a non-profit making association. It brings together 219 national motoring and sporting organisations from 130 countries on five continents. Its member clubs represent over 100 million motorists and their families. (WAM/AB)