Champ of the camp to spend singing prize on sister’s wedding
It is the second time Mustakin Sheikh has won the annual talent show, which has been dubbed ‘UAE Idol’
A Dubai office assistant blessed with a golden voice has won a UAE talent show for the second time.
Mustakin Sheikh scooped the top spot in the yearly Camp Ka Champ – or ‘champ of the camp’ – held in Al Quoz.
“This will make life better for my family in India,” Mr Sheikh said. “We were poor, but this will change that.”
The talented singer, 30, has generously decided to use his half of the winnings – Dh35,000 worth of gold – to fund a dream wedding for his sister.
Mr Sheikh, 30, first won the contest four years ago and paid for his eldest sister’s nuptials using his winnings. That year, the Indian singer shared the prize with his onstage partner, Swaim Mitu, after thrilling judges and a 3,000-strong audience bused in from across the UAE.
“Now I am going to use my winnings towards paying for my second sister’s wedding,” he said.
“I have worked hard towards this and this money means a lot to me. I would not have managed to make this money even if I was saving hard for two or three years so this is huge for me.”
When he was first successful in 2015 it was as a solo singer, which meant he had all the Dh35,000 prize to himself.
“I am the eldest in my family,” he said.
“My brother and I are the main breadwinners in the house, and my younger sisters and parents rely on us as they are not working any more.”
This was not the first time Mr Sheikh had reason to celebrate recently. “I got married a month ago,” he said. “By winning Camp Ka Champ I have really moved forward.”
Jaspreet Singh, 29, also newly married, won the award for solo singing, taking home Dh7,000.
“I am going to use this money towards my music career,” said Mr Singh, from India.
“I was the second runner-up in Camp Ka Champ last year as well, so it makes sense.”
The annual event has been held in Dubai for 13 years and was the subject of a documentary, Champ of the Camp, in 2013.
More than 4,000 singers from labour camps in the UAE auditioned for this year’s contest.
“The journey of hosting Camp Ka Champ for blue collared workers since 2007 is a precious one and very close to our hearts,” said Rupa Vinod, managing director of event organiser Right Track Advertising. “It is all about participation, engagement, entertainment, camaraderie and an occasion everyone eagerly looks forward to.”
The competition has improved the lives of labour camp workers in the country, said Salma Massoud from sponsor Western Union.
“Most migrants in the country are away from their families and work hard to support loved ones back home,” she said.
“They play a fundamental role in the lives of their families and communities, paying for things like education, health care, food, rent and other basic needs.
“Through Camp Ka Champ, we hope to give them an opportunity to express their passion, live their dreams and inspire others.”