News DeskDubai: The National Guard created some history of their own as they successfully defended their Tug-of-War crown at the 12th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament being held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.
Arguably the largest sporting event of its kind that has been launched, sponsored and sustained 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, this tournament is held annually during the holy month of Ramadan under directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council.
The competition, under the slogan ‘Limitless Abilities’, was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Vice President of the International Body Building Federation and President of the Emirates Body Building Federation; Major General Khalifa Rashid Al Hamli, Director of the Office of His Highness the Minister of Defence; Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council; and Hassan Al Mazrouei, Tournament Director.
Knowing fully well that defending their title in the Government Departments and Institutions category was never going to be an easy task, the National Guard team started off well winning the first round to go clear 1-0. But, the Ministry of Defence bounced right back and won the second round to send the match into a title-deciding third round.
The third round was close with the Ministry of Defence digging in deep to hold the defending champions at bay, till a crucial tug helped the Natural Guard successfully hold on to their title for yet another year.
Earlier, the Land Forces team took third place after defeating the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Defence team 2-0.
In the Junior category, the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club were outright winners following a narrow 2-1 win against Sharjah Sports Council, while the A25 Gym team took third place after defeating the Sharjah Academy for Police Sciences, 2-0.
In the Community category, the Truss General Trading team won first place after defeating Al Asifa 2-0, while Al Kawaser clinched third place with a 2-0 win over IFBB Academy.
Al Tadawi and Al Hilal in volleyball summit clash
Meanwhile, Al Tadawi 1 will meet Al Hilal in the final of the volleyball competition that will officially bring the curtains down on the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, late on Thursday.
A loud and sports-loving crowd is expected at the finale of the volleyball competition at the main hall of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.
Watched by by His Excellency Abdullah Al Darmaki, President of the UAE Volleyball Association, and Stanislav Shevchenko, President of the Russian Volleyball Federation, both teams took the last step into the final in contrasting styles.
Al Tadawi 1 secured an easy 3-0 win against Al Samawi, while Al Hilal overcame a minor hitch before securing a 3-1 win against Al Ameed in the second semi-final.
Al Tadawi 1 was always in control with their outside hitter Anton Semyshev in top gear with 14 points, while opposite Maksim Sapozhkov gave full support with 12 points. Al Samawi tried to make a contest out of the match with Egor Bogachev and Mubarak Al Mansouri rising to the occasion. However, the Al Tadawi 1 firepower was too much to handle for the team largely consisting of players from Bani Yas Club, Abu Dhabi.
In the second semi-final, Al Hilal felt the initial sting after losing the opening set 22-25 against Al Ameed. After that they remained in full control winning the next three sets, 25-23, 25-17 and 25-18 to earn the right to move into an engrossing final on Thursday.
Tadawi 1, consisting of players mostly from Dynamo Moscow, Russia – past winners of the European Volleyball Federation Cup on four occasions and champions of the Russian Volleyball Championship nine times – has been the standout team during the course of their uninterrupted march to the final.
Al Hilal, on the other hand, consists of players from Italian side Grottazzolina, is expecting to make an impression when they come up against a totally different school of volleyball on Thursday. “Going by the form of the two teams, we can surely hope for a close final on Thursday,”Al Hilal coach Ortenzi, admitted.
“We want to stay positive and treat this as any match that is worth fighting for till the end. There is never a doubt in my mind that we can get this done. The only thing is that my players have to believe they can do it,” he added.
