Saeed Hareb back at the helm of the WPPA

by Class-1 media on 22 Feb 2009 Following his resignation as President of the World Professional Powerboating Association (WPPA) last December, Saeed Hareb is back at the helm.

'After considering all the options before me, I have decided to return as the WPPA President and ensure there are changes in the functioning so that we are more effective with our presence on the local and international stage,' said Hareb. 'We have a fantastic and thoroughly professional team with us in the WPPA and we are convinced I need to be here once again leading this group of professionals.'

'The target for the WPPA this year is to improve our partnership with the UIM and ensure there is a full incorporation for the WPPA in the by-laws of the world governing body.'

The news that Hareb has resumed his role as President has been welcomed by IOTA President HE Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al-Thani. 'I am extremely pleased that Saeed has reconsidered his decision and we look forward to his valued contribution as the head of the WPPA,' commented Sheikh Hassan. 'Stability within our sport in all areas is crucial to its success and we look forward to once again working closely with Saeed.'

The WPPA was founded in December 2006, based on an agreement with Saeed Hareb and the International Offshore Team Association (IOTA), the officially sanctioned promoter and worldwide television and commercial rights holder of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship. In 2007, the Class 1 Championship was run under the auspices of the WPPA and IOTA, independently of the sport’s world governing body, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), with all parties concluding an agreement at the beginning of 2008, under the terms of which the WPPA has the exclusive right to manage the racing rules and provide officials to the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship.