• Organizing committee conducts draw ceremony for Tug-of-War Championship

• Wheelchair basketball teams in action from Sunday night

•                 Padel awarding photos

•                 Padel final game photos

•                 OCR competitions photos

DUBAI: The UAE dethroned reigning champions the Netherlands to clinch the Padel Teams title at the 12th ‘Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament’, the largest sporting event of its kind, launched and sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

Held annually during the holy month of Ramadan at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the annual event is conducted under the slogan ‘Limitless Capabilities’.

The winners were awarded their trophy and medals by Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE Padel Association, along with His Excellency UAE Sports Minister Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, and His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.

The final was also attended by His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, His Excellency Ismail Al Hashemi, First Vice President of the Asian Padel Federation, Second Vice President of the UAE Padel Association, His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, Saeed Al Marri, Secretary General of the UAE Padel Tennis Federation and Hassan Al Mazrouei, Director of the Tournament.

Considered outsiders, the UAE were dominant on court while winning both their matches on Friday night. Ignacio Villarino and Enric Giunaga had to dig in deep before winning 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 against Mats Groen and Kai Groen with a score of 2-6, 6-1, and 6-0. Inigo Joffre and Warnau Eyates then confirmed the title for the hosts with a swift 6-1, 6-3 win against the Dutch duo of Jank Verwater and Nicolas Van Beetto.

Among the highlights of the evening was a raffle draw for a free brand-new Ford Territory car, courtesy Al Tayer Motors.

Wheelchair Basketball kicks off

A total of four group matches will be held on the opening night of the Wheelchair Basketball Championship from 9.30 pm on Sunday at the Dubai Club for People of Determination, Al Ghusais.

Defending champions Dubai Police will commence their title defence with a match against Dubai Courts, followed by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs taking on Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. Sharjah Police will meet the Department of Finance at 10.50 pm, while Dubai Municipality will be up against Mai Dubai at 11.30 pm.

On Monday, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai will meet Mai Dubai, Dubai Police will take on Department of Finance, Community Development Authority will face Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services and the Roads and Transport Authority will line it up against Dubai Courts.

The ten participating teams in the tournament have been divided into two groups, with the first group comprising of Dubai Police, Sharjah Police, Department of Finance, Dubai Courts and the Roads and Transport Authority, while the second group includes the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Dubai Municipality, Mai Dubai, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services and the Community Development Authority.

Tug-of-War draw

Meanwhile, the organizing committee has conducted the tug-of-war draw. The preliminary rounds fo the competition are scheduled to commence from Tuesday (March 11). There will be three categories for the competition, namely the Junior category, Government Departments and Institutions and the Community category.

The eight participating teams in the Junior category have been divided into two groups, with the first group comprising of Sharjah Academy for Police Sciences, A25 Gym Fitness Center, Ahmed Bin Rashid School and B Ninjaz, while the second group includes EFBB Sports Academy, Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, Desert Storm and Sharjah Sports Council.

The government departments and institutions category has attracted nine teams with the first group consisting of Ras Al Khaimah Civil Defence, Dubai Media, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Police and the National Guard, while the second group includes Dubai Transport Security Department, Land Forces, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education.

The community category has the largest response with the 16 teams evenly divided into four groups. The first group includes Dulsco Group, Transguard Group, IFBB Sports Academy and Al Musalmani Group, while the second group includes EFS Champions, Al Jawarih, Agnes Contracting Company and Al Habtoor Group.

The third group consists Dutco Construction Group, Al Asifa, Al Sahel Contracting Company and Al Kawaser, and the fourth group is made up of AG, Truss General Trading, Kerala Kings and Fighters.

Excitement ahead

The 12^th NAS Sports Tournament will continue with the shooting and running championship (Laser Run) being held on March 10 and 11, while the tug-of-war championship will start on March 11 and continue till March 18. The cycling race will be held on March 15 and 16, while the volleyball championship competitions will start on March 12 and continue till March 20.

The organizing committee has continued to receive registration requests to participate in the rest of the competitions through the tournament’s approved electronic system on the official website www.nasst.ae.