Al Saif Traditional Sword Demonstration and Training Commences in Fujairah

New Phase
The inaugural Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition moves into a new phase with the announcement of two public demonstration and training events.

Simultaneous Events
The first Demonstration and Training event will be held this Friday 22 October 2010 at these three Fujairah locations:

1. Fujairah Corniche (next to the bull butting arena)
2. Masafi Cultural Centre
3. Dibba Cultural Association

These events at the three locations will be held simultaneously commencing at 5pm and extending until approximately 9pm.

Take Two
On Friday 29 October 2010 these three events will be repeated at the same hours and locations in order to give the public more time to enjoy the sword entertainment and to give the competition contestants further practice and training before a live audience.

Next Phase
Following these two Fridays of demonstration and training the competition will get underway with the qualifying rounds. The organizing committee is due early next week to announce further details about the qualifying round locations, times and matchups.

Finals at the Fort
As previously reported, the semi-finals and final of the Al Saif competition are expected to be held in December against the backdrop of the Fujairah Fort with the final scheduled for 10 December 2010.

More Information
More information about the inaugural Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition, generously sponsored by the Fujairah Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, can be found at these links:

بطولة السيف Al Saif Competition, Facebook Page.
(Click on LIKE to receive regular information)
Anna Zacharias, ‘Not Everybody Can Shake the Sword’, The National, 10 October 2010.
Traditional Sword Competition to be Held in Fujairah, FIF, 30 September 2010.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: Some of the men from the shihuh (highlander) tribes gathered recently at the Fujairah Fort to display their skills. Inset: The sponsor of the Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition, the Fujairah Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, looking pleased with the development of this cultural and sporting event. (Photo courtesy of Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition Facebook Page)