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KARTING enthusiasts were encouraged to take part in a university experience in the second instalment of an initiative to encourage young people to participate in and support motorsport in the kingdom.
Following the success of Karting 4 Schools back in March, students, staff members and alumni from six Bahrain colleges and one from Qatar participated in Saturday’s inaugural Karting 4 Universities event.
The activity was organised by sport-loving Hamad Behzad’s Middle East Premier Activities and Championships, in association with Together Safe, a campaign instigated by Ahlia University students to fight against extremism and social exclusion.
Hamad said: “We also want to allow students the opportunity to find their passion. With our partnership, with sponsors and promotion agencies, we can push individuals with talent further.
“We also want to allow students the chance to experience an activity in a dynamic environment.”
Seventeen teams from AMA International, BIBF, Applied Science University, Kingdom University, Bahrain Polytechnic and College of North Atlantic- Qatar, took part in an hour-long endurance challenge where drivers came into the pits at regular intervals to give them a more authentic F1 feel.
Hamad was delighted to see the camaraderie being built up between students and staff members during the session and the huge turnout. He said: “I am happy to see so many people interested and joining together in such a friendly environment.”
While all received participation medals for their efforts on the track, the three teams recording the best times over 44 laps also picked up trophies, although there was much emphasis on it being a ‘team-building activity and not a race’.
AMA University representatives Mohammed Mattar, an alumni, and Rashid Al Muammari, a business informatics student, secured pole position and finished in front of two polytechnic teams.
Both are track-savvy and experienced drivers having raced with the successful Batelco team. Mohammed, from Sanad, said: “We enjoyed the event and had a chance to flex our skills. The Polytechnic teams did a great job and really pushed us.
“This is a great sport for young people to get involved in and I’m looking forward to taking part in other events.”
Bahrain Polytechnic business student Qassim Khalil Ebrahim, 25, from Hamad Town, added: “It was fun. We all drove a similar, RX7 go-kart. It came down to experience in the end although I felt confident having participated in the Bahrain National Championship.”
Plans are underway to host a further nine karting activities for various school age categories as well as sessions for universities, attracting more regional involvement.
Also on the agenda are bowling and indoor sky diving get-togethers, alongside mainstream sports such as football, basketball, tennis and cricket.
