Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that its “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure” is progressing steadily.

As part of the campaign, Air Arabia, BMI Bank and Audi Bahrain will sponsor Air Arabia pilot and Olympic sailor, Sami Al Kooheji, to compete in the 2010 Asian Games this November.

Despite being off the international sailing circuit for six years, 26-year-old Al Kooheji has achieved top results since embarking on the adventure in February, at the “Sail the Gulf” championship in Doha. In March, he was named “Number One Sailor in the GCC” after taking home top honours at the GCC Cup in Abu Dhabi. This was followed by a three-race win at the Agrekko Laser League Races in Dubai in April.

“I am extremely grateful to Air Arabia, BMI Bank and Audi Bahrain for giving me the opportunity to aim for the Olympics in Guangzhou, China, this November,” said Al Kooheji. “My fitness levels are higher than they’ve ever been, and my speed is improving every time I race. I’m pleased with how the campaign is going and I look forward to sailing in China later this year.”

Originally planning compete in 12 International Regattas and training camps in the GCC, Europe and Asia, Al Kooheji will now participate in 15 sailing events. These thrilling races will test his strategy, strength and skill, in order to fully prepare him for the 2010 Asian Games.

Running in tandem with the “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure” is the “Think Pink” campaign that promotes breast cancer awareness in the GCC, for which Al Kooheji will also be acting as an ambassador. Al Kooheji’s campaign partners include the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association, Team Pindar, Sail Bahrain and GAC.

Air Arabia’s initial involvement in sailing began in 2007, when it sponsored Al Kooheji, who competed in the 2004 Olympic Games, to take part in the “2007 Air Arabia World Endurance Challenge”, an unprecedented 550-kilometre non stop solo voyage in a small Laser sail boat from Bahrain to Dubai, where he achieved a new world record. In 2009, the airline then went on to sponsor Bahrain’s National Sailing team for two international regattas in Mumbai.

Al Koohieji’s “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure” can be followed on his recently launched www.sailsami.com, on Facebook at “Sami Al Kooheji Sailing” and at Air Arabia’s official Facebook and Twitter page.