H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, paid a visit to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge on Tuesday as the event continued on its third leg.

Sheikh Nahayan, Chairman of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare, was greeted by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the rally organisers, and FIA Vice President, at the rally’s desert base close to the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort.

He watched some of the action as the 38 cars and 48 bikes and quads tackled the 256-km Qasr Al Sarab Special Stage 3, before visiting the rally HQ and the Media Centre, where journalists from around the world are covering the event.

“We were very happy to welcome His Highness whose encouragement motivates everyone connected with the event,” said Sulayem. “His visit has been a great boost for us all as it underlined the level of support the Desert Challenge receives from the government, without which the rally would not happen. 

“He told me that he has great trust in our ability to stage a top-class event which sends positive images of the country around the world.”

The Desert Challenge is being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region.

It is the third round of the 2014 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars, and the opening round of this year’s FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship for bikes.