Al Nasr Club Shines at the 12th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament
The 12th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, witnessed an impressive display of talent and sportsmanship, particularly from the Al Nasr Club. The tournament, which took place late on Sunday, saw Al Nasr shuttlers dominate the badminton scene, clinching nearly all the top honors across seven of the 13 categories contested.
A Clean Sweep in Key Categories
Al Nasr Club’s prowess was particularly evident in the U15 categories, where they swept the top three positions in both the girls’ and boys’ singles events. In the U15 girls’ singles, Hayat Khalifa Abdul Rahman took gold, followed closely by her clubmate Dana Ahmed in silver and Lujain Abu Salem securing bronze. The boys’ singles saw Mayed Tariq emerge victorious, with Sultan Al Hamed and Mohammed Al Ali rounding out the podium.
The dominance continued in the mixed doubles, where Abdulaziz Mohammed Yahya and Ghadir Al Dhaheri claimed first place, followed by Abdulrahman Fouad Ayoun and Maryam Al Hamed in second, and Mohammed Ali Al Ali with Hayat Khalifa Abdulrahman in third. In the women’s doubles, the gold went to Futaim Mohammed Al Dahoori and Farah Ibrahim Al Haji, while the men’s doubles saw Nasser Mirza Al Sayegh and Mohammed Ali Falmarzi take the top spot.
The Significance of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament
The Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament is not just a competition; it is a celebration of sportsmanship and community spirit. Launched and sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, this tournament is held annually during Ramadan under the slogan ‘Unlimited Capabilities’. It aims to promote sports participation across all segments of society, fostering a spirit of positive competition and interaction.
Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation, expressed pride in the tournament’s success, highlighting the wide participation of national players and the event’s role in stimulating sports activity during Ramadan. She emphasized the importance of the tournament in discovering promising talents and enhancing the skills of local players.
Medal Haul for Al Nasr Club
Al Nasr Club concluded the tournament with an impressive total of 20 medals across various categories. Their success in the U15 singles events set the tone for the rest of the competition. The club’s players also excelled in the women’s and men’s singles, with Ghadeer Al Tahri and Abdulaziz Mohammed Yahya respectively claiming gold in their categories.
In the open categories, competition was fierce, showcasing a diverse range of talent from various academies. Raden Bagas and Zainaba Reem Siraj from Battledore Sports Academy won the mixed doubles, while Nurani Ratu Azzahra and Aisyah Nuraini from Abu Dhabi Racquet Club triumphed in the women’s doubles. The men’s doubles saw a thrilling contest between NVBA Abu Dhabi pairs, with Rohit Jayakumar and Gopinath Venkateshwara emerging victorious.
Special Olympics and Community Engagement
The tournament also featured a Special Olympics Unified Doubles event for People of Determination, highlighting the inclusive spirit of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament. Savarnika Jayakrishnan and Jeremy Perez from the Developing Child Centre took home the gold, showcasing the remarkable abilities of all participants.
Upcoming Events: Tug-of-War Championship
As the badminton events concluded, anticipation builds for the upcoming tug-of-war championships, set to commence on Tuesday evening. This competition will feature teams from various government departments and institutions, as well as junior and community categories, further enriching the sporting landscape of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.
The Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament continues to be a beacon of sporting excellence and community engagement, with Al Nasr Club leading the way in showcasing the potential of Emirati athletes. The event not only celebrates competitive spirit but also fosters a sense of unity and pride among participants and spectators alike.