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12th edition of Fezzan Desert Rally for mechanical sports and motorcycles was launched, on Saturday, at the historical Sebha Castle with an Arab and international crowd, including women participation for the first time.
Hundreds of competitors, including four-wheel drivers, motorcycle riders, and skydivers from various regions of Libya, participated in the rally’s launch activities, including members of Libyan Air Sports Federation, freestyle skydiving team and paragliding teams. Many Arab and foreign countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, and Russia. Italy and France took part in the rally.
The 12th edition of Fezzan Desert Rally witnessed a historic event represented by the participation of Saudi racer Merryhan Al-Baz, as the first woman to participate in the rally ever.
Opening ceremony activities were attended by Commander of Sabha Military Region Major General Fawzi Al-Mansoori, Commander of Southern Operations Room Major General Mabrouk Sahban and Security Director for Southern city of Sebha Major General Osama Owaidan.
The event was attended as well by a number of security and military figures in the southern regions, a number of dignitaries and sheikhs of the Fezzan tribes, and large crowds of citizens interested in the activities like Sports, four-wheel drive racing, motorcycle racing and skydiving.
The ceremony was opened with freefall parachute jumps from a distance of 4,500 feet, performed by members in Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, which was praised by the attendees.
The opening ceremony displayed various artistic performances by traditional folklore groups that “represented authentic Libyan art.”
On Sunday, the rally agenda comprised general races, as well as sand volleyball, sand soccer and chess competitions, along with the continuation of folkloric and artistic performances from the Libyan cultural heritage.