Dubai workers enjoy a play day
Workers from 24 companies battle it out to become best sporting team
dubai — For a community its size, Dubai has a philanthropic spirit that is energetic and ambitious. This spirit of giving was indeed visible at the Insportz indoor stadium in Al Qouz on Friday when 450 blue-collared workers from 24 companies in Dubai battled it out for the ‘best sports team’ title. Organised by the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai, the workers played in three sports categories — football, cricket, and volleyball. Rev Father Lenny Connuly of St Mary’s Catholic Church said: “The church is here to touch the hearts of those in need and spread the word of unity and passion through sports.”
Adolph Dias, a volunteer from the church said: “We want to celebrate the hard work and toil that these men have put into the building this city. This is our way of giving back to them.”
Entry to the event was free and those who took part in the matches were given gift hampers.
dubai — Children of Lagos, Nigeria, learned to kick a football first, and to walk, said Nigerian national Samson Osokoya. A concierge for a service-based company in Dubai called EFS, Osokoya has been living and working in Dubai for the last 11 months. He said: “I came to Dubai to gain some international experience and today is the first time I am playing football, after nine months.”
Samson has been playing football since the age of five and he is a centre-midfielder. “In Lagos, I play everyday. When I am not playing, I watch matches late into the night. My favourite player is Spanish centre mid-fielder Cesc Fabregas. I love everything about football,” he told Khaleej Times.
After a nine-month long stint of not playing his favourite sport, Samson was brushing his passing skills at the St Marys Church’s Tribute Gala to the Unsung Heroes of Dubai. Samson along with 450 other blue collared workers had gathered at the Insportz Indoor sports facility in Al Qouz on Friday to brush up their sporting skills. Organised by the St Marys Church, over 200 volunteers from the church got together to organise three sporting activities — football, cricket and volleyball.
The workers enthusiastically gathered around the netted pitches to form teams and battle it out for a grand prize.
Adolph Dias, a volunteer from the church, said: “This is the first time St Marys Church is organising a gala event for workers. We want to celebrate the hard work and toil that these men have put into the building this city,” Dias added: “Most of these men have built Dubai and not once have they have the privilege of living in any of the buildings constructed by them. This is our way of giving back to them.”
The opening ceremony was held in the presence of officials from St Mary’s Church, Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Muncipality. An inaugural speech by Father Lenny Connuly opened the day’s activities. He said: “The church is here to touch the hearts of those in need and spread the word of unity and passion through sports.” Dias also said the reason the church chose sports as a means to celebrate is because it is an activity men can relate to.
Nepali national Tara Kumar, a cook working in a catering company in Dubai, said: “I really enjoy playing volleyball and I am glad the church organised this event. I have events organised in the camp, but this is indoors and there are people from other companies here, as well.”
Kumar occasionally plays badminton during his spare time.
Pura Bahadur Thapa, another Nepali national and office assistant said: “I’ve played volleyball in my younger days, back in my village in Nepal. Today it feels nice to be here with team members from my office.”