*Dubai Municipality secure enthralling win against RTA in Wheelchair Basketball
*DP World thrilled to be part of top annual sports festival
Some of the strongest and fittest talent from across the world was on offer with athletes from the
UAE matching those from Russia and the USA when the curtains came down on the Obstacle
Challenge Race (OCR) at the 11 th Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Sports Tournament.
Nikita Khaydukov of Russia topped the overall classification with a time of 1 minute and 59
seconds, leaving the UAE’s Abdulla Fuad and Mohammed Al Musalhi in second and third places
with close times of 2:04 and 2:05 minutes, respectively.
In fourth place overall was a second Russian athlete, Sam Kokotliv with a time of 2:05 minutes,
followed by Mohammed Al Hassani of the UAE with a time of 2:06 and American Jessell
Boseman in sixth place (2:07).
Nikita Khaudukov’s strong finish overall was also enough for topping the UAE Residents
category of the competition leaving teammate Sam Kokotliv in second, while Jessell Boseman
came in third.
Competing on the seventh day of the event, Nikita Khaydukov completed the course spread out
over 400 metres at an average speed of 12.2 kph that translates into a pace of 4.55 minutes per
kilometre.
Abdulla Fuad, who had finished with a second-best timing of 2:04 in the overall classification,
walked away with the UAE Nationals award for his performance, while teammates Mohammed
Al Musalhi and Mohammed Al Hassani had to stay content with second and third places,
respectively.
Denmark’s Ida Mathilde Rubens was simply too good in the women’s category as she clocked
the best time of 2:19 minutes. The Dane was chased down by a trio of Russian athletes – Alisa
Petrova (2:27), Olga Kopeiko (2:37) and Aleksandra Shevchenko (2:48). The pick of the lot was
UAE’s Amal Murad as she held her own to finish in fifth place with a commendable time of 3
minutes flat.
Ida Mathilde Rubens’ time ensured she completed the course at 10.43 kph that translates into
5.45 minutes per kilometre.
A total of 700 athletes took part in this competition that making its debut at the annual Nad Al
Sheba Sports Tournament.
DP World backs its promise
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC, confirmed that Dubai
Ports World is keen to continue its partnership with the annual Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament
in order to achieve the goals of the tournament that is launched and sponsored by His Highness
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President
of the Executive Council.
“As a global leader in logistics, DP World understands the power of connecting communities,
and we are proud to be the Diamond partner for this inspiring event. Our long-standing support
for NAS, now in its eleventh year, reflects our deep belief in the ability of sports to connect
people, bring positive energy to communities and promote healthy living,” Bin Damithan
observed.
“The Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament is an important platform for supporting our nation’s
athletes, who have an opportunity to compete against top international talent, and we are
honoured to play a role in the success of the event,” he added.
Wheelchair Basketball enthralls
Hot Favourites Dubai Municipality shrugged off its opening loss to secure a hard-fought and
entertaining 41-40 win over Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on the second day of the
Wheelchair Basketball being held as part of the 11 th Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Sports Tournament.
Egged on by a full crowd at the Dubai Club for People of Determination in Al Ghusais, Dubai
Municipality showed all signs of resilience and verve as they match their opponents at every
move.
The former champions were not off to the best of starts as they trailed RTA by seven points at
14-21. But they hung in there and with the unity of players like Mohammad Al Zarouni, Walid
Shahat, Youssef Saudi, Rashid Al Zeyoudi and Ahmed Al Shehhi, they powered their way into
the match.
Never ones to give up, the RTA team fought hard and well in an attempt to keep their hopes alive
in the competition following their opening round loss to Dubai Police. However, Dubai
Municipality – who had lost to the Dubai Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship – hung in
there and won the encounter by the barest of margins and keep their hopes alive for the knockout
stages.
In the second match involving teams from Group A, the Dubai Federal Authority for Identity and
Citizenship team maintained their unbeaten record with a 27-12 win against Dubai Electricity
and Water Authority (DEWA). Dubai Federal Authority enjoyed a slender 12-9 cushion at the
end of the opening period. They started the second period well and kept a strict vigil in the
defence line to win 27-12 while allowing their opponents to score just three points.
The Dubai Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship had opened with a stunning 39-32
victory against Dubai Municipality on Wednesday night.
Dubai Courts also entered the winners’ column with a 30-14 verdict against Mai Dubai to throw
things open in Group B. Mai Dubai had started off with a 28-16 win against the Community
Development Authority.
But they seemed to be lagging in all departments of the game as Dubai Courts were off to a quick
start while leading 15-4 at the end of the first period. The team representing Dubai Courts then
kept up the pressure to win easily for a helpful first victory in the competition.
After leading 12-4 at the first quarter, the Al Bustan Center and Residence was the other team to
pick up maximum points following their 24-8 win against Community Development Authority,
who have now crashed to two losses in as many games.
On Saturday, Dubai Courts will meet Al Bustan Center and Residence, while Dubai Electricity
and Water Authority (DEWA) will cross will take on the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
team.
In Group B, Mai Dubai will meet the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services the fourth and
final game on the night will be a confrontation between Dubai Municipality and Dubai Police
General Headquarters.
Volleyball to continue
The volleyball tournament continues, as two matches will be held today, Saturday, March 23. In
the first match, Al Jawareh will clash with HMS at 9.15 pm, while Zabeel 2 team will take on
The King at 11.15 p.m.
A total of eight teams are participating in the volleyball and these have been divided into two
groups. The best from each group will advance to next week’s knockout stages.
Launched and supported by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, the 11 th Ramadan
Sports Tournament will conclude with the volleyball final on March 31.
Held under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Chairman Dubai Sports Council, the largest sports tournament of its kind during the
holy month of Ramadan at the NAS Sports Complex, is conducted under the slogan “Limitless
Capabilities.”
Organised under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), this year’s sports fiesta has
nine different sports disciplines, including Volleyball, Padel, Jiu-Jitsu, Fencing, Wheelchair
Basketball, Road Race, Cycling, Tug-of-War and an Obstacle Challenge.
