Memorable Final Ceremony of Sword Championship in Fujairah

Closing Ceremony

In a night lit by fireworks and fueled by the anticipation of the lucky winners of Al Saif Championship, the Sword Arena at the Fujairah Fort witnessed the Closing Ceremony of the Fujairah Crown Prince Award. This event was celebrated in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah and patron of the Award, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, and a number of Sheikhs and VIPs.

The ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Al Kindi, Former Minister of Environment and Water, His Excellency Ali Maihad Al Suwaidi, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Education, and a number of media personalities, representatives from UAE ministries, and important personalities from the Emirate of Fujairah.

Packed House

The ceremony witnessed a large presence from the public who filled every seat at the Sword Arena. The crowd at the Heritage Village watched the Closing Ceremony of the Award from the screen installed so that everyone, males and females, locals and expatriates, from Fujairah and other Emirates, could watch and enjoy the coronation of the winners and the ceremony of the last evening of this year's Award. This was a ceremony in which three lucky winners of the eight qualified contestants would be awarded their prizes. After five rounds filled with excitement and enthusiasm, the sixth round started on the final night and the three winners would be announced afterwards.

Rich Heritage Festival

The Organizing Committee stated that this year's Award was like a heritage, cultural and social festival held at the Fujairah Fort. "We started with the Saif Championship, and today the Fujairah Crown Prince Award comprises many activities that became the hub for a rich heritage experience full of activities and participations from Arts and cultural institutions and societies.”

Diversity of Attendees

They added that the award has attracted families from all nationalities and everyone who wanted to explore the UAE's heritage through the Heritage Village and School Operetta Competition, in addition to following the Mzafin or sword dancing. "The attendance was not only comprised of fans of the participants in Al Saif Championship", the committee added, "A lot of national and expatriate families attended the Award's activities to enjoy the traditional atmosphere of the place.”

Final Program

The closing night of the Fujairah Crown Prince Award included many activities and the ceremony program was various and exciting. There was a video about the Award's activities, the rounds of the Saif Championship, and the Friday evening singers and poets. After that, H.E. Ali Maihad Al Suwaidi, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Education gave a speech on behalf of the Ministry, expressing the recognition of the Award's role in promoting national identity and reviving heritage. Following the speech, a traditional dance performed by the Saif Championship contestants was presented.

High Point of the Evening

The point in the evening where the results were announced was a moment filled with anticipation and enthusiasm. The contestants stood waiting for the announcement of the winners of the championship. His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the patron of the Award presented the three winners with their prizes in the presence of His Highness, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi.

The Winners

The three winners of the second Saif Championship were: Nawaf Abdulla Sulaiman Al Hibsi who won the first prize, Saif Ahmad Khamies Al Yammahi who won the second prize, and Mohammad bin Saadain Al Shehhi who won the third prize. The winners posed for a photograph with the patron of the Award.

Generous Prizes

The winner of the first prize earned a cash reward of AED 100,000, a golden sword, and a car. The second prize winner got a cash reward of AED 60,000 and a silver sword, and the third prize winner got a cash reward of AED 40,000 and a bronze sword. The winners from the fourth to the eighth places won AED 10,000 each.

Brilliant Laser Show and Fireworks

After the coronation ceremony had ended, darkness filled the place which was lit seconds later by magnificent fireworks that started from the front of the Fort and went up in the sky. Laser shows drew the sword on the walls of the fort and decorated it with images of Sheikhs' images starting with the photo of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to His Highness the President of the UAE, His Highness the Ruler of Fujairah, photos of the patron of the Award and other photos from the Award's activities. The crowd cheered and showed their excitement and fascination with the brilliance of the ceremony.

Ceremony Completed With Song

The beauty of the ceremony was made perfect with the performance of singer Hazzaa who expressed his happiness for being in Fujairah and attending the Award for the second time. He thanked His Highness the Crown Prince of Fujairah for his presence and devotion to reviving heritage through Al Saif Championship, this beautiful old art in Fujairah.

Thanks

This article was written by Shaikha Mesmari and translated by Hessa Al Falasi.

Image: The photo of the fireworks above the Fujairah Fort was taken by Emily Ray. More photos that Emily took on the final night are posted in this photo album.