Shuttle Time Dubai Schools Championships a major success

Denzil Pinto 08:36 25/04/2016
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  • A day to remember: Indian High School’s U-12 team.

    The popularity of badminton in the UAE was clear when more than 230 boys from 21 schools took to the courts at Al Mamzar in Dubai.

    There was no shortage of talent at the Salah Addin Sports Hall, as youngsters competed in two categories in the preliminary stage of the Shuttle Time Dubai Schools Championships.

    In the Emirati Challenge, Mohammed Naqi of Al Ahmadiya School had to overcome four opponents to clinch the U-12 title. In a close final, Naqi did enough to hold off Juma Ahmed to prevail 15-12.

    Dubai National School claimed two medals thanks to Mahammed Ali and Abdullah Zubair. The two students squared off in the U-14 final and provided a fascinating contest. Ali came out on top with a 15-13 victory.

    Dubai National were denied another gold in the U-16 tournament. Zayed Al Shamsi booked his place in the final having beaten Dubai International School’s Mohammad Fahad 15-11 in the last-four. He was unable to repeat the feat, falling short against Ahmad Ibrahim of Dubai International School 15-8.

    It was a day to remember for Indian High School (IHS) in the Open Boys’ Championship.

    Led by Ankit Mathews in the U-12 category, IHS beat GEMS Our Own English 3-0 to set up a final against Our Own High School Al Warqa’a, who defeated Dubai International School by the same scoreline.

    The two schools will meet again for the U-14 title after IHS and Our Own High School Al Warqa’a triumphed 3-0 over their respective opponents.

    In the U-16 division, IHS beat Our Own High School Al Warqa’a 3-0 and will face GEMS Our Own Indian School or Dubai National School in the final on Wednesday.

    Delighted by the impressive turn-out and the quality of matches, Dubai badminton development manager Jaffer Ebrahim said: “We are very happy with the response to the event.

    “The growth in numbers and the improvement in the standard of play is very pleasing. The Shuttle Time Dubai programme is making a significant difference, with the children involved in the local training centres making great progress under the coaches and teachers who have completed the Shuttle Time Coaching Courses.

    “It is great to see so many children here.”

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