News: Sasi Stephen
Daijiworld Media Network – UAE (VA)
UAE, Dec 17: The 13th edition of the All-UAE Blue Star Family Sports Festival ended on a high note.
The festival encompassing track and field events for the entire family and for all age groups was conducted in the UAE University stadium in Al Ain.
The popular annual event is conducted in commemoration of UAE National Day and hence was noted by the presence of prominent UAE nationals at the festival venue.
The programme kicked-off with a colourful march past of sixteen teams from various emirates of UAE; seven schools from Al Ain also have participated in the march past. Dr Jawahar R Gangaramani, executive chairman and president of Al Fara’a Group of companies lit the torch and declared the meet open.
Roshan Ajmal administered the oath and led the Olympic torch relay. The opening ceremony was also attended by Mehdi, chief patron of Blue Star, Jimmy, president of Indian Social Centre, Moideen I R, general secretary of Indian Social Centre, Arshad Sherief, chairman of Al Ain Juniors School, Ghanem Rashid, Community Police Officer, Rashed Ibrahim, principals of various schools and various other dignitaries. Noushad Valanchery, general secretary of Blue Star welcomed the invitees and athletes.
Unneen Ponneth, manager of the meet stated that this year’s registration has exceeded two thousand two hundred compared to one thousand eight hundred during the previous year.
Track and field events included dashes, relay runs, shout put, discuss throw, cycle race and fun events for kids, ladies and couples. Team events included sevens foot ball, throw ball, kabbadi and tug-of-war.
Twelve teams each from various emirates of UAE competed for the coveted trophy and cash prize for the foot ball and kabbadi matches. Tysie Dubai were the winners of foot ball and G7 Al Ain were the runners-up.
The kabbadi title was won by Red Star Dubai beating Red World Koppal Uduma in a thrilling final. The throw ball title was won by Mangalore Konkans pushing Bunts Dubai to the second place; seven teams have competed for the throw ball title.
The day-long event ended at 8.00 pm with the tug-of-war competition in which BNB Transports Dubai and TRC Mussafah won first and second places respectively. The winners of various events were awarded with trophies and cash prizes. The technical managers of the meet Koya Master, Hussain CP and Savitha Nayak were appreciated for the successful conduct of the festival.