Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) is set to become an internationally recognized destination for top flight Water Polo with the creation of a harbour-based facility that is overlooked by the famous Barasti bar, part of the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Hotel. The new “sea poolâ€, which will be used for the first time at an Open Water Polo event on Friday 7th May, is the first step in establishing a permanent base for the Dubai Camels Water Polo Club. The event was originally planned for Friday 23rd April but was re-scheduled due to adverse conditions.
Four teams, drawn from colleges and clubs across the UAE, will converge at DIMC at 3pm on Friday 7th May to compete in a round robin tournament for the DIMC Open Water Polo Tournament Champions title. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, support their local teams and to find out more about how they can take part in a sport that is becoming increasingly popular across the UAE.
The event forms part of the on-going programme of activity of the recently established Dubai Open Water Swimming Sports Association (DOWSSA), of which DIMC and Dubai Camels are a part of. DOWSSA aims to provide programmes and services to the open water swimming sports community, sanction open water swimming sports competitions and to serve as an advocate for competitive open water swimming sports in the emirate. On 27th November last year, DOWSSA held its first event, The Palm Open Water Challenge Cup, a 6.5km open water swim from Atlantis, The Palm to the Mina Seyahi.
Adam Winter, a founding member of the DOWSSA committee and a member the Dubai Camels Water Polo Club, commented:
“We are truly excited about the amazing facility that DIMC has created for Water Polo. The sea pool, located opposite Barasti, is truly exceptional in terms of its location and suitability to play this great sport. Our first tournament here is eagerly anticipated by the competing teams and will provide a great showcase for those interested in finding out more about the sport to come along and do so.
“With views of The Palm and The Burj Al Arab and in direct site of Dubai’s most popular entertainment venues, they have created a venue for Water Polo that will be the envy of players across the globe. We are thankful for their support and the continued work of DOWSSA to make Dubai a leading destination for open water swimming sports.â€
DOWSSA is the brainchild of Mr Saeed Hareb, CEO of DIMC and General Manager, Mr Sid Bensalah. It brings together for the first time a growing number of individuals and groups in Dubai that have an interest in promoting and participating in competitive open water swimming sports.
DOWSSA will focus on providing individuals with the opportunity and incentive to pursue excellence in competitive open water swimming sports in the emirate of Dubai. It is committed to attaining a five point charter;
•   To promote and encourage those living in Dubai to participate in all forms of open water swimming sports
•   To make participation in such sports easy and enjoyable for everyone involved
•   To promote health and fitness through competitive open water swimming sports
•   To co-operate with other organizations for the betterment of open water swimming sports, with a focus on establishing new facilities and gaining permissions to host events
•   To establish Dubai as a world leading destination for open water swimming sports
The DIMC Open Water Polo Tournament takes place on Friday 7th May 2010, starting at 3pm. Check out the Dubai Camels Water Polo Club Facebook group – search for “Water Polo in Dubaiâ€.
