Khaberni - The Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum mourns his brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who passed away this morning Monday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said in a post on the "X" platform: "May Allah have mercy on you, my brother, you are now with a generous and great Lord, you are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers and hearts, O Ahmad," praying to Allah to grant him paradise and to give his family and loved ones patience and solace.
Who is Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum?
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the younger brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the fourth and youngest son of the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. He was born in 1950.
He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, then joined the Central Military Command of Dubai, later assuming its leadership.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid held several positions in the security, economic, and sports fields, including Vice President of Dubai Police and Public Security, and he chaired the A.R.M. Holding and al-Wasl Sports Club.
From "Al Zamalek" to al-Wasl Club
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid’s name is linked with the history of al-Wasl Club, which was founded in 1960 under the name "Al Zamalek" in a small house in Zabeel area. The club later moved to the house of Sheikha Madia bint Sultan, under the sponsorship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Bati bin Maktoum Al Maktoum.
At that time, a team member asked Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid to take over the presidency of the club, and he welcomed the idea. He then became the president of the club, which was later named "al-Wasl," and played a role in its development and in supporting various sports in the UAE.
From al-Wasl to marine sports
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid’s interest was not limited to football, as he was a leading contributor to the establishment and launching of the Dubai International Marine Sports Club, and assumed its presidency upon its foundation in 1988. The club later became the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa to join the International Marine Sports Federation (UIM), and his name was linked with the beginnings of the establishment of the "Victory Team" in 1989.
Passionate about horse racing
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid was also a prominent figure in the field of horse racing in the UAE. In 1982, he achieved his first notable win when his horse "Wasl" won the Irish One Thousand Guineas.
In the early nineties, he established Jebel Ali Racecourse with the aim of supporting horse racing in the UAE, in addition to launching the Al Adiyat center and the Dubai Horse Racing Center to support and develop the sport.
