Sheikh Maktoum Extends Invitation to the Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Tournament

Maktoum Meets With Organizers
His Highness, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the visionary and patron of the Maktoum Championships, spent some time this week with the Organizing Team of the upcoming Ramadan Tournament.

Different members of the committee spoke about the events being planned. The meeting included a tour of the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club and Sheikh Maktoum gave valuable input regarding the placement and interrelationship of the events.

Keen Sportsperson
Sheikh Maktoum has been involved in sports of many kinds and he loves the challenge of being in a competition. When asked if he had only one sport in which he could play he said he would choose football.

Huge Benefits
As the patron of the Maktoum Championships the Sheikh is keen to promote sport among all people in Fujairah and he does this with passion, believing that sport is a strategic way of building bridges among different groups. "Sport," he said, "has a wonderful capacity to gather people together.”

With obesity and related illnesses like diabetes being big problems in the UAE the Sheikh has set as a goal of the Maktoum Championships, "the encouragement of young people to exercise." Getting involved in playing sport, he believes, will help people of all ages to enjoy healthy living and raise positive awareness.

Developing the Maktoum Championships
In the few years since the games commenced in 2007, Sheikh Maktoum has developed the Maktoum Championships to the point where last year the Fujairah competition was the second largest Ramadan Tournament in the country, with 1154 players and 32,000 spectators.

The biggest hope Sheikh Maktoum has for the tournament this year is that it will be greatly enjoyed by everyone and it will do much to focus attention on the importance of the family.

Sport, Culture and Tradition
A recent photograph of Sheikh Maktoum shows him with a falcon and highlights the lead he is giving to the ancient art of falconry. In addition to promoting sport, His Highness believes it is our duty to teach children about their culture and to present the Emirati heritage to the world.

The Maktoum Championships are part of a larger vision for sport in Fujairah and Sheikh Maktoum is confident that much will be done in the years ahead to build the emirate and the people of the UAE as a sporting nation.

Welcome to the Arena
Sheikh Maktoum was heartened to learn of the progress and eager to contribute suggestions to the Organizing Committee for the Ramadan Tournament. As the plans are developed and the players prepare for the championships, His Highness, Sheikh Maktoum extends this enthusiastic invitation, "Welcome to Fujairah! Welcome to the arena!"

More Pictures
See the photographs that record Sheikh Maktoum’s meeting at the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club and His Highness playing sport, at this link.

Further
Fujairah Crown Prince Receives Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Organizers, Fujairah in Focus, 8 June 2010.

Fujairah Tennis Club Gets Biggest Challenge in Scoring Maktoum Championships, Fujairah in Focus, 7 June 2010.

Maktoum Championships Plan New Sports for Ramadan Tournament in Fujairah, Fujairah in Focus, 4 June 2010.

Maktoum Championships—Facebook Page for up to the minute information, photos and video clips.

Find Fujairah in Focus on Facebook for much more information, links and photos on Fujairah.

Geoff Pound

Connect with Geoff Pound on Facebook, Twitter or at geoffpound(at)gmail.com

Image: The visionary and patron of the Maktoum Championships, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi takes a tour of the venue of the forthcoming Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Tournament.

Taekwondo is Growing Steadily in Fujairah

Taekwondo is an up and coming sport in Fujairah with a team of 43 athletes and a dedicated manager in the person of Eid Fairooz Mesmari.

The Rise of Taekwondo
The Korean martial art of taekwondo made its first appearance at the Seoul Olympics (1988) as a demonstration sport, at the Sydney Olympics as an official sport and this year (2010) it was confirmed as one of the 25 ‘core’ sports for the 2016 Olympic Games. Great efforts are now being made to introduce taekwondo to the Paralympics, hopefully by 2016 at the earliest. Taekwondo is now the world’s most popular martial art in terms of the number of practitioners.

Taekwondo in the UAE
The UAE is one of 190 member nations of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), taekwondo’s international governing body. The nation’s standing in the sport was internationally recognized when Sheikha Maitha Mohammad Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of the Dubai ruler and the prime minister of the UAE, competed in taekwondo at the Beijing Summer Olympics.

Taekwondo in Fujairah
Although Eid Mesmari was the manager of the UAE National Team based in Dubai, he wanted to return to his home town of Fujairah and introduce the sport he loves to his own people. On the first day of 2010 Eid took up the job as manager and instructor of taekwondo in Fujairah.

The Fujairah Instructor
Eid has been a determined person from a young age. As a boy all his friends played football but he said to his Mum, “I want to be different.” He was a good runner so when was eight or nine he pursued athletics.

Leaving school he joined the army in Dubai because he ‘wanted to become a man’ and for him the army embodied the Emirates. In the first few months his athletic prowess was noted by his officers and he was transferred to the Sports Unit where he soon represented the UAE Army and later the UAE National Team in the 400 metres and the 4 x 400 metres relay. This arena gave Eid considerable international experience and in his spare time he learned boxing and taekwondo.

After years of competitive running, Eid narrowed his focus to develop his skills in taekwondo. This took him first to the USA and then to South Korea where he underwent a rigorous training schedule, earned a series of belts (ranks) and participated in international competitions.

When he returned to his homeland he became the champion in his category and he held this honor for many years. He ceased competitive taekwondo in 2006 to concentrate on managing the sport and training young players.

Building a Sport
Eid helped establish a boxing team in Fujairah in 2004 and became involved with its management and training. But his dream persisted to develop taekwondo in Fujairah and since sharing this idea with the Crown Prince, the dream is becoming a reality.

Space for a taekwondo centre was obtained within the basement of Fujairah’s Football Stadium. He started with three young people but now there are 43 athletes in the squad.

Most of the training is done in the evenings, where young men and women of different ages and nationalities attend. Taekwondo is for everybody, it is offered free but each player must put in lots of time to do well and experience the benefits.

While enjoying sport for the joy that sport can be, Eid has a greater vision—helping to build his city of Fujairah in the way that he knows best, through taekwondo. Taekwondo is a tool for building character because it places value on etiquette, self-discipline, respect for others, fair play and friendship with others.

Eid elaborates, “Taekwondo teaches you to be calm and not to get into trouble. It is more than martial arts; it is another culture and a philosophy that integrates the mind (tae), hand (kwon) and do (leg).”

He believes he is making some progress when some parents ask Eid, “What have you done with my child? He’s so calm!”

Taekwondo in Fujairah largely revolves around the inspiration that Eid gives but increasingly the parents of the players are assisting in the administration of the sport.

Dream On
One does not have to spend much time with Eid Mesmari to sense his passion for taekwondo and his love for Fujairah. Eid is keen to develop some world class players in Fujairah and the entire eastern region and the Fujairah team is already first in the Emirates this year. He is hoping that Fujairah might host some national and international tournaments in the near future.

Mesmari is eager for his taekwondo friends around the world to visit the UAE and especially the emirate of Fujairah. He says, “There is much for tourists to see in Dubai but I love the naturalness of Fujairah. It is more normal. One can get a sense of how people have lived here for centuries. I want the whole world to know Fujairah and when my people do well on the sporting stage it is a way of saying, ‘We are here.’”

Taekwondo at Maktoum Championships on 20 August
Eid Mesmari and his Fujairah taekwondo team will have an opportunity to display their talent at the Ramadan Tournament on 20 August 2010. They will be joined by other taekwondo athletes from around the UAE.

Mesmari is looking forward to the Maktoum Championships because he believes strongly that sport is vital for building the country.

Geoff Pound

Connect with Geoff Pound on Facebook, Twitter or at geoffpound(at)gmail.com

Image: “One does not have to spend much time with Eid Mesmari to sense his passion for taekwondo and his love for Fujairah.”

Fujairah Crown Prince Receives Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Organizers

Official Press Release
A representation of the organizers of the Maktoum Championships—Ramadan 2010 was received today by the Fujairah Crown Prince, His Highness Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi.

The Crown Prince was briefed on the details of the sporting championship that will be held 13-27 August, between the hours of 9.00pm to midnight, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hamad Al Sharqi.

Sheikh Mohammed warmly received the members of the Maktoum Championships organizing team and pledged his support and appreciation for all that is being done for the building of community through sport.

From the original vision of Sheikh Maktoum, the competitions have grown in popularity to the level that last year (2009) the Maktoum Championships were rated the second largest Ramadan sports tournament in the Emirates.

The MKC Ramadan in Fujairah has attracted international, national and local players and by last year the total number of 1154 participants was reached.

In 2009 the MKC Ramadan attracted the highest number of people watching the sports with approximately 32,000 spectators in attendance throughout the 20 days.

This year the organizers are planning a greater number of sports and exhibition events. With most activities being hosted by the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club for the very first time, many more players and spectators are expected. The events and crowds will be much closer together thus making a better sporting spectacle. This year people will be able to walk from event to event rather than needing to travel in their cars.

Ample car parking will be available and free buses will travel on soon-to-be publicised routes to enable players and spectators to get to the events and back each night with safety and ease.

While they are yet to be finalized, the current list of sports and exhibitions includes the following: football (soccer), volleyball (men’s and women’s), tennis, basketball (men’s and women’s), chess, tug of war, cricket, interactive games, motocross, sand drag racing, car show (classic and modified), special needs games, table tennis, taekwondo, boxing exhibition, squash, swimming and arm wrestling.

Important features will include competitions for those with special needs, women, children and corporate teams.

In addition to the many Emirati sportspersons, the MKC Ramadan is attracting people in Fujairah and the UAE from an increasing number of nationalities.

A diverse group has been drawn together to organize the various facets of the sporting tournament. A new Maktoum Championships website www.mkc.ae is already providing fresh information and photos and the Fujairah and UAE media will be invited together to be briefed on the new features of the MKC Ramadan.

A booklet has been produced for prospective sponsors providing information on the different ways individuals and companies might invest in this significant event for Fujairah and the United Arab Emirates.

Brochures and registration forms will be appearing soon but people requiring information may call Maktoum Championships on this number—0509892000.

Two of the Honorary Committee members have accompanied the MKC10 team—Mr. Salem Al Zahmi, Crown Prince Office Manager and Captain Musa Murad, Director General of the Fujairah Port.

MKC is privileged in having the honorary decision-making members to guide the Organizing Committee in planning the Championships in the most proper manner.

The MKC Ramadan Organizing Committee is comprised of Mr. Nasser Al Yamahi (Chairman), Mr. Sharief Al Awadhi (Vice Chairman), Ms. Fatma Yousuf (Chair of Media) Mr. Tariq Abdulla (Admin & Finance), Mr. Ross Brown (Championships Manager), Colonel Abdulraman Aldhanhani (Chair of Security), Mr. Rashid Al Kindi (Chair of Public Relations) and Mr. Geoff Pound (MKC Media Consultant).

The visitors were grateful to the Crown Prince for his practical support and the trust that he has bestowed upon them.

Note
This is the Official Press Statement following the meeting with the Crown Prince and it is intended for immediate release on 8 June 2010.

Further
Fujairah Tennis Club Gets Biggest Challenge in Scoring Maktoum Championships, Fujairah in Focus, 7 June 2010.

Maktoum Championships Plan New Sports for Ramadan Tournament in Fujairah, Fujairah in Focus, 4 June 2010.

Maktoum Championships—Facebook Page for up to the minute information, photos and video clips.

Find Fujairah in Focus on Facebook for much more information, links and photos on Fujairah.

Geoff Pound

Connect with Geoff Pound on Facebook, Twitter or at geoffpound(at)gmail.com

Image: The Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, with members of the Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Tournament Organizing Team.

Fujairah Tennis Club Gets Biggest Challenge in Scoring Maktoum Championships

Most Challenging
General Manager, Ross Brown said that “the Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Tournament this year (13-27 August 2010) will be the most significant event we have hosted here at the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club because it involves so many sports, players, spectators and organizers.”

In its short history the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club has developed a fine reputation for hosting and managing events such as the Monodrama Festival, the Wedding Expo, Style 2010 Fashion Exhibition, the Fujairah Classic Bodybuilding Championships, the Weightlifting Competitions, Eight Ball Championships and International Tennis Championships, but the sheer number of people who will attend makes the Ramadan Tournament logistically challenging.

Expertise in Organization
Each of the 18-20 sports has its own chairperson and organizational team and in the last two years since the Maktoum Championships was established by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi a good deal of local expertise has accrued.

Now Ross Brown is busy meeting with the organizers in order to finalize the location of each event in the grounds of the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club and to assess what resources will be needed.

Improving a Winning Formula
Brown wants to help improve what has become a winning formula. Coming to Fujairah over a year ago to take up the position of General Manager, last Ramadan was his first taste of the Maktoum Championships. He was impressed with the enthusiastic level of participation and he wondered how he could become more involved.

Bridge Building by Sport
Ross Brown resonates with Sheikh Maktoum’s vision of using sport as a means for developing harmony and growth for everybody because as a sportsman, a coach and a sports event manager over many years, he has seen first hand how “sport has a way of building bridges across various groups.”

Location, Location, Location
One of the attractive features of the Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Tournament this year will be to have nearly all the sporting competitions and exhibition events in the one location—the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club. This will eliminate the need for travelling by car from one event to another and when spectators come to watch their favoured event they will be able to walk around with ease and enjoy the many competitions that will be held both indoors and outside.

Excellence and Expertise
In addition to providing the variety of areas in the one location Ross Brown says his staff has significant expertise in sports management, training in a range of sports as well as proficiency in the crucial areas of safety, first aid and security.

High Hopes
As a tournament, Brown is hoping for a high participation of players in all the sports and the smooth running of the events.

For the crowds who will attend each evening from 9.00pm to midnight, Brown is working to provide a spectator-friendly environment with everyone easily finding their way from one event to the other, with food and refreshments being on hand whenever they are needed.

All in all, the leader of the team at the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club is working hard with the organizers to ensure that when everyone looks back on the Maktoum Championships—Ramadan Tournament 2010, they will declare it to be the best championships yet.

More Information on the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club
* Some photographs of the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club are at this link.
* Link to see location and get directions to the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club.
* Fujairah Tennis and Country Club web site.

Further Information on the Maktoum Championships
* Maktoum Championships Plan New Sports for Ramadan Tournament in Fujairah, Fujairah in Focus, 4 June 2010.

* Bookmark this Maktoum Championships-Facebook Page for up to date information, photographs, videos etc.

Geoff Pound

Connect with Geoff Pound on Facebook, Twitter or at geoffpound(at)gmail.com

Image: This 3,000 seat centre court stadium will be ideal for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Maktoum Championships-Ramadan Tournament and for staging some of the final matches.

Maktoum Championships Plan New Sports for Ramadan Tournament in Fujairah

In Brief
* The founder and patron is His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hamad Al Sharqi.

* The Maktoum Championships (MKC) Ramadan Competitions are to be held from 13th-27th August 2010 between the hours of 9.00pm to midnight.

* The major venue is the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club.

Exciting Development
From the vision of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi in 2007, the Maktoum Championships have grown in popularity to the level that last year (2009) MKC was rated the second largest Ramadan sports tournament in the Emirates.

The Ramadan tournament has attracted both international and local players and by last year the total number of 1154 participants was reached.

In 2009 the Ramadan tournament attracted the highest number of people to watch the various sports. It is estimated that there were approximately 32,000 spectators in attendance throughout the 20 days of competitions.

New Variety
The genius of the MKC Ramadan extravaganza is the mix of competitions and events. Fancy a tournament that includes cricket and chess, tug of war and interactive games, Motocross and a Modified Car Show!

More sports are being introduced in Ramadan 2010 and while they are yet to be finalised the current list includes the following: football (soccer), volleyball (men’s and women’s), tennis, basketball (men’s and women’s), chess, tug of war, cricket, interactive games, motocross, sand drag racing, car show (classic and modified), special needs games, table tennis, taekwondo, boxing exhibition, squash, swimming, and arm wrestling.

Important features will include competitions for those with special needs, women, children and corporate teams.

Many More Cultures
In addition to the many Emirati sportspersons, the MKC Ramadan tournament is attracting people in Fujairah and the UAE from an increasing number of nationalities—Sudanese, Australian, Indian, American, Pakistani, Kiwi, Filipino, Bengali and more.

This cultural mix is attributed in large part to the fruitful cooperation between the MKC organizers and such groups as various social clubs, the Federation of UAE Football Association, the Dubai Sports Council, UAE Chess Federation, UAE Taekwondo & Karate Federation, UAE Table Tennis Association, UAE Tennis Association, UAE Swimming Association and Emirates Motor Sports Federation.

The more cultures that participate as individuals and as groups the richer the tournament becomes. While the spirit of competition will be evident the most important feature will be the inclusive gathering of people together regardless of their culture, gender, age, ability or religion. As His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi has so well stated, the vision of the Maktoum Championships “aims at spreading sport in the Emirates to achieve harmonious growth for everybody.”

New Facilities
This is the first year that the MKC Ramadan Tournament will be hosted at the attractive and stylish Fujairah Tennis and Country Club. These are well-equipped facilities that will aid the sportspersons, the spectators, the organisers, the media and those serving refreshments.

While not every event can be held at this venue (e.g. Cricket, Interactive Games), the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club with its many areas will bring the events and crowds much closer together to encourage a better sporting spectacle. People this year will be able to walk from event to event rather than needing to travel in their cars.

Ample car parking will be available and this year free buses will travel on soon-to-be publicised routes to enable players and spectators to get to the events and back each night with safety and ease.

Stay Posted
The Promotions Committee will be using all avenues to get information out as it is finalized. A new website is being prepared (URL soon to be announced) and a Facebook Page is up and running with photos, links and comments (Search ‘Maktoum Championships’ or click this link to make this a favourite).

It is not too early to get into training and form teams from your group of friends, from the business company for which you work or the organization of which you are a member.

More Information
Brochures and registration forms will be appearing soon but should you require information at this time, please call the Maktoum Championships on this number—0509892000.

MKC Ramadan Tournament in 2010
More sports in 2010.
More players in 2010.
More spectators in 2010.
More innovation in 2010.
More competition in 2010.
More 'harmonious growth for everybody' in 2010.

Geoff Pound

Connect with Geoff Pound on Facebook, Twitter or at geoffpound(at)gmail.com

Image: The visionary and patron of the Maktoum Championships, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi.