The first Labour Sports Festival meant to provide the working class some physical activity has been launched by the Dubai Sports Council.
Comprising seven-a-side football, basketball, volleyball and cricket competition, it will begin on October 22 and continue during the weekends with the final scheduled for December 24.
It is part of the Dubai Programme for Physical Activity project of the council in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make practicing sports activity into a lifestyle, according to Dr Ahmad Saad Al Sharif, secretary general of the Dubai Sports Council
“It also puts into practice the objectives of the Dubai Pulse initiative launched last year by the council to spread sports amng all groups, including labourers working at various economic organisations,” he said at press conference to announce the event.
“It is a chance to recognise the hard work of labourers who are an integral part of our society,” said Major Gen. Mohammed Ahmed Al Merri, Director-General of Residency and Foreign Affairs, hoped it will grow bigger in the years to come.
He believed this event would be a crowd puller because of the popularity of the selected sports. “We hope the participants have a good time and there is plenty of entertainment because sports is not just about winning or losing,” he added.
“These type of tournaments will enhance the spirit of sportsmanship and increase productivity of employees,” said Nasser Talib, CEO of Desert Group who are the main partners of this festival.
Desert Group have entered two teams apiece for football and volleyball while also vying for honours in cricket and basketball competitions.
“We hope the number of participants will increase next year and may be there is an Inter-Gulf competition,” said Talib.
Cricket has received the most number of 12 entries with Khansaheb, ENOC, Drydocks, BMTC, Dubai Airports, Dubai Municipality, Al Nabooda, Basti & Mukta, Dulsco, Aswaq and Built Middle East being the other teams.
ENOC, Drydocks, BMTC, Dubai Airports, Dubai Municipality, Al Nabooda, Aswaq and Zayed University apart from Desert Group will compete in the football compeition.
ENOC, Drydocks, BMTC, Dubai Airports, Dubai Municipality, Al Nabooda, Aswaq and Dulsco along with Desert Group will compete in volleyball.
Aswaq, ENOC, Drydocks, BMTC and Dubai Airports will battle with Desert Group in basketball.
Football, basketball and volleyball competitions will be held at Dulsco courts in Al Quoz while the cricket tournament will be held in Jebel Ali.