16 pupils from across the UAE vied for top spots in the Championship finals in Al Twar eventually won by 2 Students from Fujairah
Dubai, 03 May 2014: Over 150 pupils from various educational zones across the seven emirates competed in a series of qualifying rounds in the Fazza School Youlah Championship through the year from which 16 qualified to compete in the finals at the New World Private School in Al Twar in Dubai on Thursday 1st May.
Competition ran high and students were eager to prove their mettle in the presence of senior dignitaries from the Ministry of Education and the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center.
Saud Mohammed Juma al Hairi from Al Halla School in the Fujairah Educational Zone and Humaid Obaid Hassan Bin Rekad from Al Raffa School in the Fujairah Educational Zone emerged victorious for displaying skill and precision as ‘You-Weels'.
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the competition is organised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center and the UAE Ministry of Education to promote Emirati heritage and culture.
The Championship has been adapted from the traditional Emirati Youlah which involves contestants performing a highly skilled folk dance using a fake model of the traditional ‘saktoun' rifle.
Ibrahim Abdulrahim, Director of Events at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center said: “It is a pleasure to watch young You-weels perform the Youlah with such passion and dedication and we hope they play a role in spreading the essence of Emirati culture and heritage in the UAE and abroad.”
Marwan Ahmed Saleh Al Sawaleh, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education added: “We would like to congratulate the winners of the Championship and would particularly like to thank all parents for being so supportive and encouraging their children to participate in a highly specialised traditional event. The Ministry is proud to partner with the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center to encourage competition and pass on the tradition of our ancestors to the next generation.”
Sharifa Mousa Hassan, Director of Student Activities & Scientific Competitions at the UAE Ministry of Education added: “The school Youlah Championship has grown in size and stature every year and is enjoying immense popularity among young people across the Emirates.
“We are pleased that an increasing number of students are showing interest and that the Championship has become a part of the annual diary of events in the UAE, thanks to the continued support of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.”
The Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center and the UAE Ministry of Education are working on a series of new initiatives to support culture and heritage which they hope to announce in the next few days.
About the Youlah
Youlah is a highly skilled folk dance using a fake model of the traditional ‘saktoun' rifle. A Youlah player or ‘You-weel' performs a 3.5 minute dance which involves throwing a fake weapon 20 meters into the air while aiming for a green laser light track that moves in the open sky of the playground.
Contestants wear a ‘ghotra' or turban and every turban falling to the ground results in a You-weel losing votes. For every successful round of the weapon touching the 20 meter-high laser light, the You-weel earns additional votes. The bray of a hound is sounded to mark the victory of a You-weel if he succeeds in this quest. Contestants have 3.5 minutes to impress the judges and score the highest grade on a scale of 50.
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