DOHA: Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) QMMF yesterday welcomed hugely popular bike group Soul Riders at Losail International Circuit during the last round of the eni FIM World Superbike Championship.
At an impressive gathering held inside the VIP enclosure at Losail Circuit, QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah met with founding members of Soul Riders Abdullah Al Hajjaj and Khalid Al Hamaidi.
QMMF Secretary General Mohammed Saad Al Moraikhi was also present as Al Attiyah, who is FIM Vice President and FIA Deputy President, addressed a huge gathering.
“We welcome Soul Riders at Losail International Circuit,” Al Attiyah said yesterday as WSBK riders spent time on Losail Circuit ahead of tomorrow’s final round under lights.
“We know this a group which undertakes to hold many fun activities around Qatar. They are free to be part of our activities and enjoy the wide range of racing events we stage at Losail Circuit,” Al Attiyah added.
“They approached us and wanted to be part of our programmes. We urge them to come here in large numbers and enjoy themselves,” Al Attiyah said.
“They will be working under the umbrella of QMMF. They are a hard working group. They are continuously planning activities around the country. They can now be officially part of our activities. In the future we can work together not only locally but in the region also,” he added.
Al Hamaidi said: “We thank QMMF for this opportunity. It is an achievement for us to be associated with them. We hope to make this relationship stronger. We will try to make more and more activities and charity events.”
Al Hajjaj said: “We are proud of this development. We have found people who believe in change. I thank Mr President for his generous consent to welcome us. QMMF is the home of motor sport and we are not a guest any longer. We are a part of the motor sport home.”
He added: “Whether it is a charity event or a sports event, we will delighted to be part of future QMMF activities. I thank my members at Soul Riders. We couldn’t have been here without you. We will show them what we can do with our group.”
Soul Riders, which nearly totals around 170 members, is actively visible at sports events and charity programmes in Qatar all round the year.
Al Attiyah said: “We welcome Soul Riders and any other similar group that aspires to be active with such activities. Losail Circuit is a place for bike fans. We welcome everybody.”
“We will be on their side if more groups or people come and share their bike experience. For sure, all the groups will have to register with us and take their activities forward in a professional way,” he said.
“We have seen such groups in other countries also and they increase their activities with a lot of energy, I am sure Soul Riders will also do this and more importantly, they will get to enjoy our events at Losail Circuit,” Al Attiyah said. “I would urge Soul Riders not to forget the enjoyment factor. They must enjoy our events and be part of what happens at Losail Circuit,” Al Attiyah said.
Later both parties exchanged souvenirs with Al Hamaidi presenting Al Attiyah with a membership card of Soul Riders.
THE PENINSULA
