@hhcgovae Fazza Championship for Freediving 2014 to kick off between 6-8 March 2014

Russian champion freediver Alexey Molchanov trains nearly 30 professional divers in the run-up to the Championship

The latest in its calendar of elite sporting events for 2014 organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Center, the 7^th Fazza Championship for Freediving will kick off on 6 March 2014 at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai from 3.00-9.00 pm.

Organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, under the guidance of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Championships are touted to be among the most prestigious as they attract professional divers from around the world who have set new records in freediving in Dubai in the past.

Freediving is a highly skilled and strenuous sport that demands the highest level of mental and physical stamina from competing divers. Contestants will have to dive about 4 meters with no diving gear or equipment and hold their breath for as long as they can.

The Championship will be open to male and female professional drivers (expatriates and other nationals only) and amateurs (UAE and GCC nationals only) above the age of 16 years. Junior Emirati and GCC nationals can also participate in the Juniours group of 12-15 years.

Hamad Al Rahoumi – Head of Committee, Fazza Championship for Freediving said: “We are proud to host another edition of the Fazza Championship for Freediving in Dubai. This sport is unlike other forms of diving and tests the body and mind in equal measure.

“We invited Russian champion freediver Alexey Molchanov twice to train professional divers in new techniques in freediving and we have seen a marked improvement in the results. The Championship recorded its highest score of 9 minutes last year.”

Souad Darwish, Director of Championships added: “The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center strives to revive Emirati heritage and pearl diving has been a strong part of our lineage in the UAE. This championship has been modelled along the same lines to test the contestants’ endurance and skill.

“We are excited to host another edition of the Championship which attracts divers from other emirates, the GCC and expatriates and we are confident that high scores will be achieved this year.”

Because of the highly demanding nature of this sport, contestants will have to strictly comply with the set rules and sign a liability waiver before they enroll for the competition at the venue on 6 March. Standby safety divers will also be available if contestants develop cramps or are unable to resurface.

Now in its 7^th edition, the Fazza Championships for Freediving attracted over 150 contestants last year.