Sulayem Hailed For Role in Steering Palestine into Fim Fold

Dubai, UAE, 10 December, 2012:  Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been hailed for his role in persuading the FIM, the international motorcycling federation, to welcome Palestine into its membership.

The FIM made the historic decision to accept the membership application of the Palestinian Motor Sport and Motorcycle Federation (PMSMF) at its General Assembly in Monte Carlo at the weekend. 

At one point it seemed the application would be deferred for another year in the absence of any PMSMF officials to support their case , but it was accepted following an impassioned plea by Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, the FIM’s official representative in the Emirates.

Sulayem has since received a letter of thanks from PMSMF President, Khaled Qadura  “for his great moves and much appreciated support to the Palestinian Motorsports Federation.”

Qadura said Sulayem had previously backed the successful PMSMF bid for membership of the FIA, motor sport’s governing body for car events, while in Monte Carlo he argued that Palestine should not be penalised in light of recent events which kept PMSMF officials away from the FIM General Assembly.

“He stood up for us, and spoke against the postponing of the vote on our membership application,” said Qadura. “We are indebted to him, and also thank him for his continuous  efforts in developing motor sport in the region.”

The Palestinian Motor Sport and Motorcycle Federation becomes the FIM’s 108th member federation. Formed in 2005, the PMSMF currently organises a number of competitive car events, but with FIM membership is now free to expand its remit to two wheels.

“This is a relatively new organisation which is doing a very good job of creating opportunities for motor sport in extremely difficult circumstances,” said Sulayem.

“It needs the support of the FIM and of its counterparts in the Middle East and other parts of the world, and in view of recent events in Palestine, postponing the vote on its membership because no officials were able to attend the  General Assembly would not have been fair.”

The ATCUAE now plans to invite Palestinian riders to compete in bike events in the Emirates, including moto cross, and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge which forms the second round of the 2013 FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship from April 5-11.