Dazzling display at Minara Sports Icons Awards Night – 2018
MUSCAT: A star studded glittering show was held on Friday, December 2018, at City Amphitheatre Qurum, in the presence of high profile dignitaries Sayyid Suleiman Al Busaidi, Deputy Secretary General, Council of Ministers, Sultanate of Oman; Munu Mahawar, Indian Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman; Dr Hammad Al Ghaffri, Advisor to the Min. of Civil Services; Salem Al Bortmani, CEO Areej Veg. Oils & Derivatives; officials from different ministries and sports bodies, leading businessmen and a huge crowd comprising of Omanis and expats of many different nationalities. A Galaxy of Omani Sports Stars was also present.
Minara – highest selling cooking oil – made in Oman by Areej Vegetable Oil & Derivative SAOG was the presenter of the show. “Talent Hunters Oman” was the organiser.
Show began on time with Omani National Anthem. After the welcome speech “Omani Football Theme Song” was rendered live by Young Omani Singers’ group led by Munther Hassan accompanied by Shabib Al Balushi, Zuhair Al Balushi and Mohammed Al Zadjali - a perfect song matching the theme set the ball rolling.
This was followed by an excellent display of skills by young girls: Sophia, Kiana, Razan, Mariia, Aleksandra, Ameena and Jannat of Ballet & Folklore Center, choreographed by Alena. It was indeed mesmerising.
Salim Al Maqrashi, one of the best Oud Player of Oman enthralled the crowd playing mix of Arabic, Western & Hindi music.
All Omani Boyz team “Parkour Freaks”- Saied Al Farsi, Ahmed Al Yahyaee and Maher Al Mashari exhibited daring stunts of Parkour, a new sport not known to many in this part of the world. The spellbound crowd was in shock and awe.
It was time for a break from the entertainment.
First round of Minara Sports Awards were handed over by Sayyid Suleiman Al Busaidi to Dr Hammad Al Ghaffri - Life Time Achievement Awards
Emaad Al Hosni and Ali Al Habsi – Football
Hamad Al Wahaibi and Al Faisal Al Zubair – Motor Sports
Jahad Al Sheikh and Barakat Al Harthi – Athletics (Track Event).
Interesting facts and achievements of all the awardees were narrated by the host and videos played made it very interesting and informative for the audience.
Marion, a dancer and choreographer began the second round of performances. A contemporary fusion dance comprising of Flamenco, Modern dance, Belly dance and Indian dance was really captivating.
A group of nine Muscat Singing Icons – Shekar, Haider Naqvi, Vineet, Sarfaraz, Sradha, Vishnu, Madhav, Nakshatra and Ananya - rocked the crowd rendering popular and inspirational song on cricket from Hindi Movie Lagaan.
This was followed by another rocking performance by Philippine school girls Gabrielle Angela, Mia, Radha Krishnalie and Juliane Mari. They sang live - FIFA World Cup theme song originally sung by Shakira.
Omani duo Mohd. Nasser Al Naufli and Ameer Al Balushi amazed the crowd with their freestyle football juggling skills.
Second round of Minara sports Awards were handed over by Sayyid Suleiman Al Busaidi to Khalid Al Nabhani and Fatma Al Nabhani- Tennis
Madhu Jesrani and Sufyan Mehmood – Cricket
Harab Al Abdali and Yusra Shoukri - Taekwondo
Nasser Hamed Al Mahamooli and Ashok Purohit – Sports Journalists’ Awards.
Commencing the final round of performances - Omani Singer Munther Hassan in his mesmerising voice sang popular Hindi Film Song Tere Sang Yaara, arousing claps and cheers from the crowd. He was given a standing ovation by the audience. He is being prepared for a popular Reality Singing Show on one of the Indian TV channel by Talent Hunters Oman.
All Omani B- Boyz group “S N K Revo” - comprising Mazin Al Rashdi (B – Boy Dark Flow), Taha Al Rashdi (T-Tone), Abdullah Al Rawahi (Engine) and Mohammaed Al Wahaibi (Kilwa) stunned the crowd with their brilliant daring performance.
“Jai Ho” an extremely popular, inspirational and motivational song was sung by Muscat Teen Singing Sensations - Sradha, Nakshatra, Vishnu and Madhav, supported by dazzling performance by dance group of Delicious Dance Academy, choreographed by Team DDA, was a befitting grand finale of the show.
The success of any show is measured by the quality of performances, smooth flow of the event and keeping the audience glued to their seats. With variety of brilliant performances, superbly coordinated flawless execution and keeping the entire crowd glued to their seats for 2 hours’ extravaganza, not only made the show a runaway success but it also set the precedent: How with dedication, hard work “Local Amateur Talents” can be groomed to perform an International Standard show.
“I wanted to do something new, something different after organising singing and dancing shows for last 15 years. I also wanted to do something for Omanis. Sports and youth of Oman instantly came to mind and Minara Sports Icons Awards Night was conceived. Putting up varieties of high-quality unique performances was not a big challenge for me but getting the Sports Icons on board was not an easy task. Thanks to Dr Ramnathan and Ashok who came to my rescue. They took the responsibility to get chief guest, ministry delegates and sports icons for the event.
I want to thank Sayyid Suleiman Al Busaidi for his gracious presence and handing over the awards. It was indeed very kind gesture on his behalf to have sat through the event. I also want to thank Dr Hammad Al Ghaffri and Munu Mahawar for their kind presence and for sitting till the end. I also thank Salem Bortmani – Minara, for his continuous support. Only Thank You - is not enough for the Sports Icons of Oman who came to receive the awards. It did inspire Omani youth to take up sport. Purpose of organising the show was fulfilled. Thanks to Oman TV and Media persons for their coverage.
Heart congratulations to Team Talent Oman and Team of Volunteers, whose relentless efforts were responsible the grand success of the show,” Said, director of the show, Dr Sanjay Dalal.
“We are not supporting the event for promoting our products. We are doing it as our socio-cultural responsibility and as a Private sector participation in recognising, encouraging, supporting young talented Omanis and giving them a big platform to perform,” said Salem Al Bortmani.