QATAR: Qatar's southern desert attracts quad bikers from across the region

Every Friday, hundreds of quad bikers and owners of four-wheel drive vehicles head to Qatar's southern desert to perform stunts and manoeuvres on the sand dunes as large crowds of people gather to watch them in fascination. Bikers from across the country gather in the desert to take advantage of the sand dunes and the vast open space, and for the moment at least, to enjoy the relatively cool temperatures ahead of another blazing Gulf summer. "This this is a well known area called "Sealine" in southern Qatar. The games started here in Qatar in 1990 as far as I can remember. Personally, I started coming in 1998. The quad bike games started five years ago. Since then, it has started in Doha and people enjoyed it very much," said quadbiker Mubarak al-Hajiri. But not all who visit the southern desert are impressed with the quad bikers who gather on the sand dunes every Friday to show off their latest stunts. One spectator, Abdallah Elkousary, warned of the dangers of the sport, which is known locally as 'Taf'eis'. "This a dangerous game. People die, people get paralysed, accidents happen," he said. While quad bikers admit that the sport can be dangerous, some say the risks can be reduced if bikers ride more responsibly. "Maybe it's a dangerous game, but "danger" is relative here. If one knows what he is doing, this game becomes less dangerous," said Ahmad Abdallah, who has been biking for a number of years. Aside from the quad biking, spectators and bikers come to the southern desert to enjoy the sea and the sand and to watch the breathtaking sunsets the area is famous for.

ITN Source | May 25, 2007

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