Playing with fire for a living
dubai — Fire is nothing but a piece of cake, a toy and a source of living, for 23-year-old Ahmad Hussain Sami. A fire player from Cairo based in Dubai, Ahmad has been practising and playing with fire for six years.
“It was just a hobby in the beginning. I practised for long hours to master my skills while playing with fire.” The daredevil performer told
Khaleej Times that he was lucky to receive professional training from Ukrainian and Russian experts during his work in Hurghada, Egypt. “I used to practise in front of a large mirror to develop my skills.”
It was a challenge for Ahmad, a professional swimmer and free diver, to launch the new career. But it has now become “the means of living that requires attention and incessant training’.Ahmad, who speaks Russian and English
I use tools, mostly made by myself. These include spinning fire wheels, fireballs, fire bars, torches, and snakes to dazzle the audience during the 12-minute show at 6.50pm every day.” Ahmad Hussain Sami, daredevil performer fluently, keeps introducing new techniques at his workplace in Al Aweer desert.
Ahmad was fascinated with his ‘land of dreams’, Dubai. His dream turned into reality when one of his clients was enthralled with his show back in Egypt. “He helped me get my current job with a Dubai-based safari company, almost one year ago.
“I use tools, mostly made by myself,” he said. “These include spinning fire wheels, fireballs, fire bars, torches and snakes to dazzle the audience during the 12-minute show at 6.50pm every day.”
These are apart from kerosene which he uses to blow flames out of his mouth in his three daily shows as part of a busy camping agenda. “I fill my mouth with half glass of kerosene that helps me spray 30 to 45 times,” he said. “But this is not an easy job and I would advise none to do it home or alone.”
“All precautionary measures are taken during the shows. A well trained crew with fire extinguishers is always present, though there was never a need till date.”
Ahmad is looking forward to create new methods in his fire-play. “I can come up with more innovative daredevil techniques that always leave the audience mesmerised.”
Though Ahmad’s main role is to play with fire, he keeps exercising, developing and diversifying his skills that he can play music and has also become a “professional DJ song player”.