By Ansar M Bhatti

RIYADH, DEC 14 (DNA) – Thousands of people from across the globe thronged the landmark Formula E championship, set to start from Saturday.

The pre-race events continue to attract tens of thousands of people. Even on Friday a large number of foreigners and locals rushed to the venue.

The Formula E is an International Circuit event organised by an international sport body.  It is the first time that event is being held in Riyard Saudi Arabia and various organisations including several ministries and associations are involved.

To facilitate the guests adequately the Saudi authorities established various help desks. Even at the airport, the Formula e visitors were given special treatment.

As part to celebrate this occasion, the Saudi authorities from all sectors invited their friends to witness the atmosphere and environment and of course the competition also.

Three journalists from Pakistan including the Editor of DNA news agency attended the event.

As reported in the Saudi media, all the hype surrounding Formula E sent a wave of excitement through the streets that you could sense as you approached the Allianz E-Village, an electronic village with reality toys galore that will take you to the another world.

Thrilled visitors who had come early had the advantage of avoiding the crowds and the busy queues as they paced their way through the village. However due to a large number of visitors, guests had to stand in long queues to get into the village.

The Formula E-Prix took up the whole of Ad Diriyah, a family zone and cultural village. The best way to move around was by one of the many buses that transports visitors to the security checks. The visitors ostensibly had to face some hiccups also however the authorities were quick to take on bottlenecks within no time.

Authorities said certain difficulties were witnessed only because it was the first mega event being held in Riyadh. The officials said the lessons learnt from these experiences will help them conduct the event even in a more efficient manner next time.

On the ride to the cultural village at dusk you could see the place all lit up with twinkling fairy lights. It was magical and beautiful. One person on the bus gushed at the beauty of it, the mixing of the old and the new, the cultural and the technological.

People were dancing in the crowds singing to the lyrics, and once the DJ stopped the music you could hear the crowds scream with excitement. The jam packed venue of concert spoke volumes for the interest of people for such events.

First-time concert-goer Yara Saud, an 18-year-old college student, had been waiting for this event since it was announced. Being a huge fan of Jason Derulo, she said: “I can’t believe that I’m attending my favorite artist’s concert in my home town. This is Crazy!”

“Saudi whassap. This is a dream come true for me! Since we are in Saudi Arabia I want to do things a little different,” said Jason Derulo, who put up a thrilling performance equally enjoyed by the locals and those came from across the globe.

As a special treat for his Saudi audience he gave the first performance of a new song, stating on the stage that his mother taught him to never visit empty handed: This was his gift to Saudi Arabia.

It was truly a unique experience of witnessing Saudi people mingling, dancing, singing and enjoying themselves in a huge outdoor area.

The entire venue was decorated with clourful lights. Numerous food outlets and stalls set up by various companies added colour to the event.=DNA

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