The Organizing Committee of the Al Saif (Traditional Sword) Championship 2011 held a press conference today (17 October 2011) at the Fujairah Concorde Hotel to announce details of the competition in its second year.
The Committee revealed today that the commencement date for the Al Saif Championship is 11 November 2011 and the final night will be on 16 December 2011. The associated Heritage Village may get underway a day or two before the championship begins.
The Organizing Committee is working on several new features that were disclosed at today’s conference:
Assistant Controller, Ahmad Hamdan, stated that the prizes will take the form of generous cash awards, granted by the Patron, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi.
Prizes will be given to all winners in the finals from first to eighth place.
Rashid Al Yammahi, Chairman of the Training Committee, revealed the establishment of a training programme that will introduce members of the younger generation to the traditional art of the saif.
Trainees will learn the basics of holding and using the sword, how to be creative and artful and the important values behind the Al Saif tradition.
If trainees excel this year, they may well apply to enter the championship next year or sometime in the future.
Sultan Melaih, Chairman of the Jury Committee, explained the conditions for participation, how the judges grade each swordsman, the specifications for the safety of the sword and other details relating to points for creativity and excellence in the use of the sword. These rules are outlined in the Al Saif booklet.
Mr. Melaih says that the committee expects a big increase in the number of participants this year because of the success in the inaugural year of the Championship. More participants will mean that more qualifying rounds will need to be conducted before the competition proper commences.
Promotion
Mohammad Al Hamadi, Chairperson of the Marketing Committee, stated that the echoes of the first year of the Al Saif Championship successfully introduced the competition to departments, businesses and the general public within Fujairah and throughout the Emirates and the Gulf.
The establishment of two Guinness World Records during the Al Saif Championship in 2010 was also a wonderful means of promotion.
Mr. Al Hamadi said that the Committee is currently securing sponsors for this year’s Championship. The successful sponsors will be announced at a future Press Conference as well as being advertised on the television channel that is broadcasting this major event in the UAE.
To keep up to date with developments for the Al Saif Traditional Sword Championship 2011, stay tuned to these sites and links:
* Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition Web Site.
* Al Saif Competition Facebook Page—Click LIKE to keep in touch.
* Al Saif e-Booklet with competition details, historical background etc.
* Al Saif—Check this site to indicate that You Are Attending.
Ahmed Hamdan
Abdulaziz Al Abdouli
Ali Obaid
Ali Yaeesh
Badriah Al Hosanny
Humaid Al Yammahi
Jasim Al Jasmi
Khadijah Al Hindi
Maryam Al Saadi
Mohammed Al Hammadi
Mosabbah Obaid
Mustafa Thanikkai
Ohood Abdulaziz
Rased Al Yamahi
Saeed Al Samahi
Sheikha Al Mesmari
Sultan Mohammed
Tariq Abdulla
Some of the Al Saif Organizing Committee Members meeting with His Highness, the Crown Prince.
Relive the Al Saif Championship of 2010
Watch this 3 minute video of the Al Saif Competition to see how it is a total experience.
To learn more about what happened in the Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition in its inaugural year, go to this article and follow the links.
Geoff Pound
More Fujairah news, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.
Images: The three photos of the swordsmen in action at the Fujairah Fort were taken by Michele Ziolkowski. Most other photos and logos are used courtesy of the Al Saif Championship.
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