Two-time champ Al Mansouri seems set for heady hat-trick at Dh1m Fazza Youlah Championship

Former winner receives full marks as fellow finalist Bin Bisher flounders under the lights

Dubai, UAE, March 6, 2016:   Rashid bin Harmash Al Mansouri and Bisher bin Rashid bin Bisher squared off in the Dh1m final of the Fazza Youlah Championship in the Heritage quadrant at Global Village here on Friday evening.

Bin Bisher entered the ‘battlefield’ of Al Meydan first and span his replica rifle with great dexterity initially at the climactic finale of this televised event, which is organized and supervised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC).

However, he wasn’t able to replicate his prior form when it came to throwing it skywards up into the air and none of his attempts managed to register on the 20 metre high, green laser beam.

Al Mansouri subsequently strode into the fray with confidence and at quite a pace. He went on to produce a polished and professional performance, with four scoring throws and no errors deservedly drawing loud cheers from the audience in attendance.

Al Mansouri, who is aiming to win this competition for a third time, was awarded the full 50 marks by the three-strong jury, whereas Bin Bisher got 47.

Nonetheless, the voting public at home will have the final say on who exactly should be crowned the eventual champion, with that much-anticipated announcement not due until the very last live show on Friday, March 18th.

Meanwhile, Dalmook Abdullah bin Dalmook finished third after it was announced that he had beaten Ahmed Al Habsi in the previous week’s play-off. He polled 61,400 votes compared to Al Habsi’s 40,220.

Souad Ibrahim Darwish, the Director of Championships at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), congratulated both Bin Dalmook and Al Habsi on their respective top-four finishes, insisting that that was an achievement in itself given the calibre of the competition overall.

“It takes a lot of effort for the competitors to keep honing their skills on a weekly basis,” she said. “They’ve shown a willingness to learn and an eagerness to abide by the rules and regulations of the tournament. They’ve also exhibited a high level of sportsmanship and teamwork, which are all characteristic features for any Yawel (‘Soldier’).”

Darwish added: “The Fazza Youlah Championship occupies an important place in UAE heritage sports and it is being practised now by the next generation.
“We’re proud to have mordernised this historical pastime in a contemporary style, in keeping with the aspirations of these young people, with what is considered today a major breakthrough in terms of the revival of - and support for - one aspect of the rich culture and heritage here in the United Arab Emirates.”

Meanwhile, musician Waleed Ibrahim performed two new songs for the fans in the Arab world, while poet Jamal Shaksi dedicated his recital to the Crown Prince of Dubai.
 
“I’ve witnessed many huge developments in the Fazza Youlah Championship over the years and there’s no doubt that a huge amount of effort and plenty of imaginative and new ideas have gone in to portray the programme in a modern way,” Ibrahim explained.

“It still though has maintained an inherent UAE heritage element to it in that time, as well as the rhythm of the national folk songs, and many surprises along the way have managed to capture the imagination of fans that really do appreciate our culture and history.” 

Shaksi stated: “Youlah’s enhanced presence and increased popularity through this particular Fazza Championship is thanks to the people at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), who are always keen to promote the continuation of our traditional pastimes and pursuits.”