HAMDAN LEADS THE WAY AT GOV GAMES
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, leads the F3 team during the Gov Games finals on Saturday. Sheikh Hamdan later tweeted: “A big thank you and well done to all the teams that participated in the @govgames and all the best to today’s finalists.”
DUBAI — From running an entire kilometre with a heavy wooden log to ziplining with weights across a flaming platform, and free climbing a ten-foot tall wall, the sheer mental and physical strength of men and women were put to the test at the first edition of Gov Games.
In the men’s competition, Team F3, led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, took the first place by finishing the obstacle course in a little under 20 minutes. The team from the Ministry of Education came in close second, followed by the Ministry of Interior.
The United States Consulate General in Dubai snagged the first place in the women’s competition, completing the obstacle in a little over 27 minutes. The second place went to the team from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), and the third place went to the team from Dubai Police.
Christine Dal Bello, public affairs officer at the United States Consulate General in Dubai, said: “A lot of the challenges tested your ability to function together as a team. We work together, but we only recently came together as a team for the competition. The games really test and showcase the power of team work.”
She added: “A lot of the people did train individually, but being physically fit and fighting the ‘Storm’ wasn’t enough. The players had to work as a team.” The team will be donate their winnings of Dh1 million to an Emirati charity.
The obstacle course called ‘Storm’, with 10 obstacles, needed to be completed in 45 minutes and several 100 visitors crowded at the venue to witness this round.
Khalid Al Shehhi, an Emirati national said: “I’m here to support my
We work together, but we only recently came together as a team for the competition. The games really test and showcase the power of team work.” Christine Dal Bello, public affairs officer, US Consulate General of Dubai
friends who are participating. I also think it is right way to get people involved in fitness.” He added: “One of the toughest obstacles was the human ladder and running in the sand with weights must’ve been really hard. Especially the women, the courage and willingness they’ve shown is very impressive.”
Beqa Goletiani, a Georgian national at the event said: “I think running on the sand carrying the log should’ve been the hardest part of the obstacle. I’m supporting Sheikh Hamdan’s team because some of my good mates are taking part in it.” When asked if he would ever compete in the event, he said: “You need to be in really great shape to be part of the competition. Maybe next year.” The men’s teams consisted of seven players from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum F3, Ministry of Interior, Sharjah Po-lice, Fujairah Police, Ministry of Education, and Abu Dhabi Airports.
The women’s teams were Dubai Police, Dewa, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Municipality, US Consulate General in Dubai, and Ministry of Education.