“My love for singing has made my dreams come true” – du singer of the season winner in the 9th Western Union Camp Ka Champ

Western Union Camp ka Champ winners sing their way to AED 50,000 in cash & gold from du and Western Union

Dubai, UAE, 31 October 2015: “Today, the one thing that I really love - singing - has made my dreams come true. I remember watching TV music shows thinking ‘I will never have the chance to be on stage’. By being part of Western Union Camp ka Champ, I got the break I needed to change my life forever. I came to the UAE with massive responsibilities on my shoulders, but this is the land of opportunities and I now know that at any time, anything can happen,” said du Singer of the Season in the 9th Western Union Camp ka Champ, Mustakkim Shaikh, smiling from ear to ear. I don’t have the words to explain how this prize from du has made me feel - everyone in my company is calling me a champion, my family is so proud of me - I feel like a star. This really is a dream come true moment,” added Shaikh.

During the grand finale of Season 9 of “Western Union Camp ka Champ”, du presented Mustakkim Shaikh from Voltas Dubai the “du singer of the season 9” title and the AED 35,000 cash prize in front of an enthralled, massive audience of over 4000 labor residents, in the Jiwin Accommodation premises in Sonapur.

Introduced this year, by the contest organizers, Right Track Advertising, the Singer of the Season aims to offer an additional platform to individual singers to showcase their talent during the contest.

“As an Emirati business, our responsibility is to all of the people of the UAE, which is why we are offering various communities several platforms upon which they can showcase their talents and shine,” said Hala Badri, Executive Vice President, Brand and Communication, du. “We are thrilled to have been involved in this contest. Collaborating with our partners to change the lives of hardworking people in one of the most industrious communities in the UAE was a truly rewarding experience. Witnessing their delight throughout this successful and thoroughly entertaining contest, we are reminded of how we have the power to alter people’s lives for the better. It is a humbling reminder of our responsibilities to drive initiatives that engage entire communities and create an environment where happiness prospers and innovation thrives.”

The coveted title “Western Union Camp ka champ” Season 9 for the Antakshari Contest was won, amidst stiff competition between 4 teams, by the duo Tayyab Tahir and Deepak Sharma from Salam City, Abu Dhabi.

“We were so thrilled, when our names were called out, as the winners of the Western Union Camp ka Champ for Season 9. The contest has connected the two of us and our families back home. We came to UAE with some goals in mind and we dared together to dream to achieve them. We would like to thank the organisers and sponsors for giving us this opportunity and creating the memories of a lifetime,” said Tayyab Tahir.  

Marc Aubry, ‎Western Union Vice President, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe and CIS, said: “As another successful season comes to a close, we are very proud that we have been able to bring yet again, some fun and excitement to the participants and the thousands of supporters.  As a company that moves money for better, we continue to work closely within our communities to create these small moments of “better” and I’m exceptionally happy that Western Union is able to give our customers opportunities to shine and nurture their hidden talents.”

The winning team of the “Western Union Camp ka Champ” Antakshari contest was awarded gold worth AED 35,000/- & Electronics from Geepas and air tickets from Air Arabia were awarded to all four teams. The winner of the “du singer of the season also walked away with a cash prize of AED 35,000/-.

Rupa Vinod, Managing Director, Right Track Advertising (contest organisers): “Season 9 of the contest has seen plenty of participation and enthusiasm all around for the residents of the labor community. Sponsors and participating companies of repute have wholeheartedly supported this CSR initiative in a big way to nurture and reward these residents who are the heart and soul of UAE. The competition was tough and exciting at the same time. Everyone deserved to be Camp of the Champ 2015 but “the best ones won”! We concluded Season 9 on a high and happy note.”

Two of the three CKC gurus Syed Imran and Raza Muhammad Saeed, selected through a radio contest on 89.1 FM, were also present to cheer the shortlisted teams they had mentored for the contest! The winning duo team, was mentored by CKC Guru Raza who was rewarded with air tickets.

There was more - an exclusive music album with compilation of songs by past and present contestants as well as the CKC Gurus, was launched by Western Union officials to an audience full of awe and cheer.

Western Union Camp ka Champ was presented by du, co-sponsored by Geepas, supported by Lipton & Air Arabia. Zee Cinema, Zee TV and Radio 4 FM are the media partners.