Al Falasi, Al Marouni top in successful Laser Run Championship at Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament
- Strong competition in the tug-of-war championship as National Guards off to a flying start
- Volleyball competitions continue with the participation of international stars
- Dubai Police brush aside Sharjah Police in wheelchair basketball
DUBAI: Abdullah Yousef Al Falasi and Mohammed Al Marouni topped the Over-30 and Over-50 categories respectively as the Laser Run Shooting and Running Championships of the 12th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament concluded at the Nad Al Sheba Indoor Complex, late on Tuesday.
The Laser Run shooting and running championship was held in the main hall of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, as part of the twelfth edition of the 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, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, the tournament is 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, President of the Dubai Sports Council, under the slogan ‘Limitless Capabilities’.
Al Falasi had a top time of 3.41 minutes in the 30-year-old category after finishing a mere two seconds ahead of Salem Abdullah (3.43 mins), while Ali Abdulbaqi Mohammed finished third (3.48 mins).
In the over-50 category, Mohammed Al Marouni won first place with a time of 3:21 minutes, followed by Saif Matar Al Jabri (3.34 mins), and Ahmed Hassanein Thabet (3.39 mins).
And there were some quick times in the over-40 category as Khaled Ahmed won first place after completing the race in 5.01 minutes, just four seconds ahead of Dubai Sports Council star Ahmed Nabil (5.05 mins), while Saleh Issa followed in third with a time of 5.07 minutes.
The winners of the men’s competition were crowned by Her Excellency Dr. Huda Al Matrooshi, President of the UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation; Hassan Al Mazrouei, Tournament Director and Adel Al Bannai, Head of the Tournament’s Technical Committee.
In the 19-29 category, Mohammed Hussein Mohammed Ali won first place with a time of 7.19 minutes, followed by Khalifa Hassan Ali in second with a time of 7.22 minutes, and Mohammed Ziad Al Balushi in third with a time of 8.27 minutes.
In the under-19 category, Ahmed Ali Al Saadi won first place with a time of 7.32 minutes, followed by Khalfan Al Zaabi in second place with a time of 7.43 minutes, and Mohammed Rashid Khalfan in third place with a time of 7.45 minutes.
In the under-17 category, Nawaf Al Zaabi won first place with a time of 6.53 minutes, followed by Obaid Hamid Salem Al Darmaki in second place with a time of 7.01 minutes, and Mohammed Jassim Al Balushi in third place with a time of 8.39 minutes.
In the under-15 category, Abdulrahman Al Ketbi won first place with a time of 3.59 minutes, followed by Muhair Mani Musa in second place with a time of 4.11 minutes, and Ziad Ahmed in third place with a time of 4.14 minutes.
In the under-13 category, Dhiyab Omar Al Ketbi won first place with a time of 2.38 minutes, followed by Abdullah Issa Al Ali in second place with a time of 2.39 minutes, and Falah Jassim Al-Balushi in third place with a time of 2.43 minutes.
In the under 11 category, Maid Hareb Al Ketbi won first place with a time of 4.18 minutes, followed by Suhail Abdullah Suhail in second place with a time of 4.38 minutes, and Moaz Mohammed Saber in third place with a time of 3.59 minutes.
In the under 9 category, Hamdan Hamad Ali won first place with a time of 3.02 minutes, two seconds ahead of Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al Balushi, who came in second with a time of 3.04 minutes, and Mohammed Khaled Mohammed in third place with a time of 4.04 minutes.
Intense competition
Meanwhile, the tug-of-war championship witnessed intense competition, great excitement and a large crowd egging on the participating teams. Defending champions the National Guards defeated Dubai Media Incorporated 2-0 in the first round of the Government Departments and Institutions category.
The Land Forces team also defeated the Dubai State Security team 2-0, while the Ministry of Defence beat the Ministry of Education 2-0 and Ras Al Khaimah Civil Defence got the better of Dubai Police, 2-0.
On Thursday, the National Guards will meet the Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Police will be up against Dubai Media Incorporated, Dubai State Security will cross swords with the Ministry of Education and the Land Forces will meet the Ministry of Defence.
There was plenty of action in the community category as well with the Dulsco Group defeating Transguard Group 2-0, the IFBB Academy beat Al Musalmani 2-0, Al Jawareh got the better of IFS Champions 2-0, the Al Habtoor Group defeated Agnes Contracting 2-1, while Al Asifa got past Dutco Group 2-0, and Al Kawaser beat Al Sahel Company 2-0 even as Truss General Trading got the better of AJ 2-0 while the Kerala Kings beat the Fighters 2-0.
On Thursday, Al Maslamani will meet Delscon Group, IFBB Sports Academy will take on Transguard Group, Al Habtoor Group will cross swords with EFS Champions, while Agnes will meet Al Jawarih. In other clashes, Free Raptors will meet Dutco Group, Al Sahel will meet Al Asifa, Fighters will meet AG and Kerala Kings will be up against Truss Trading.
In the junior category, A25 Gym defeated Sharjah Police Academy 2-0, B Ninja defeated Ahmed Bin Rashid School 2-0, Sharjah Self-Defence Club got the better of IFBB Academy 2-0 and Sharjah Sports Council beat Desert Storm 2-0.
On Thursday, B Ninja will meet Sharjah Police Academy, Ahmed Bin Rashid School will meet A25, Sharjah Sports Council will meet IFBB Sports Academy and Desert Storm will meet Free Sharjah Self-Defence Club.
Volleyball continues
The volleyball championships will continue, featuring elite international stars, including players from top-ranked clubs from France, Italy, Russia and Belarus, alongside players from local UAE clubs.
There will be two Group Two matches on Thursday night with Al Hilal facing Al Samawi at 9 pm, while last year’s runners-up Zabeel Panthers will be up against Al Tadawi 2 from 11 pm at the main Nad Al Sheba indoor hall.
The organizing committee had previously conducted the tournament draw, which resulted in the eight participating teams being divided into two groups by the organizing committee. Group One consists of Zabeel, Al Tadawi 1, The King and The Emperor, while Group Two is made up of Al Tadawi 2, Zabeel, Al Samawi and Al Hilal.
Dubai Police top group in Wheelchair Basketball
Dubai Police secured the top spot with a clean record of three wins following a hard-fought 26-24 win against Sharjah Police. Dubai Police are now at the top of Group One standings with six points.
There were wins for the Roads and Transport Authority as they beat Department of Finance 20-13, while the Community Development Authority got the better of People of Determination, 23-13, and Dubai Municipality was in awesome form following their thumping 20-0 win against the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs Dubai team.
Image captions:
• Huda Al Matrooshi, Hassan Al Mazrouei and Adel Al Bannai crowned the winners of the men’s shooting and running (Laser Run) Championship.
• Tough competition was witnessed in the Tug-of-War Championship.
