By Rizwan Rehmat
DOHA: Qatar’s motor sport star Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, who has won four world titles within a space of just 10 months, yesterday said ‘hard work and planning’ allowed him to dominate rallying scene around the world.
On Sunday, Al Attiyah added the WRC2 title to his bulging bag of trophies at the Rally of Catalunya.
In January this year, Al Attiyah 45, won the gruelling Dakar Rally which he followed by winning the FIA Cross-Country World Cup title.
Two weeks ago, Al Attiyah sealed his 11th FIA Middle East Championship title in 13 seasons.
“It has been an amazing season for me,” Al Attiyah said yesterday after being honoured by QMMF at a special ceremony in Qatari capital.
“It is a significant achievement because it is incredibly tough to win four titles in one year,” he added. “To win the WRC2 title against four Skoda cars was not easy. It was truly an incredible battle,” Al Attiyah added.
“I would say winning the Sealine Cross-Country Rally (in April) was special since I was the defending champion and I was against a top field. I think that was special too,” he said.
“It has been difficult but once we won the Dakar Rally, I knew that I had to push on and aim for bigger challenges,” Al Attiyah said of his January triumph at Dakar Rally.
“We then went on to win the Qatar round of the FIA Middle East Championship. That was followed by the Sealine Cross-Country Rally win. I think we continued with the same vein throughout the season,” Al Attiyah said.
“I take this opportunity to thank H H the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Emir has always supported me in my sports endeavours all my career. It is because of the Emir’s support that I compete so strongly the world over,” he added.
QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah named the country’s top sport star ‘superman’ of the region’.
“I call him the ‘superman of the region’. He is once-in-a-generation sportsman who continues to defy logic with his amazing run of form,” Al Attiyah said.
“Let’s not forget that it is not easy to prepare for each event that he goes to. He has different set of teams planning with a different car at every event,” QMMF President added.
“From rallying to cross-country to soft gravel surfaces, Al Attiyah performs well everywhere,” QMMF President said. “We take pride in supporting him from our side.
“Nasser winning so many titles is a tribute to the support of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and Minister of Youth and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali,” QMMF President said.
“Nasser not just competes in rallies. He competes at the Olympic Games in shooting. He takes part in powerboat events. He’s an all-rounder,” QMMF President pointed out.
Al Attiyah, who won the bronze medal in skeet shooting competition at the London Games in 2012, said he was preparing for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.
“My target is to win a gold medal. I want to that before I retire. I will be commencing my training tomorrow,” Al Attiyah said.
“I still have time. I have a set calendar in front of me and I will be devoting to training and taking part in events,” he said.
“I will be travelling to Kuwait before I head to Valencia for the FIA prize giving ceremony next month,” Al Attiyah said.
“I love a challenge and I prepare myself accordingly. Whatever I do or win is for my country,” Al Attiyah said. “I thank QMMF for their whole-hearted support over the years,” he added.
THE PENINSULA
