Bigger and better Labour Sports Tournament returns to Sharjah

Giving momentum to its bid to promote healthy lifestyle among blue-collar workers in the emirate, Sharjah Labour Standards Development Authority (LSDA) will host the third edition of the highly-popular Labour Sports Tournament.

More than 2000 participants are expected to take part in the more than three-month long tournament, which is scheduled to start on Dec.13 and run until March 27, 2019. Labour Sports Tournament carries a total prize purse of Dhs250,000.

The event is part of the authority’s strategic plan to establish sport as a way of living for workers and also to entertain them.

With the majority of Asians are expected among the competitors, the tourney will see teams battling out for top honours across five sports, including football, hockey, cricket, basketball and volleyball.

While the third edition version will witness high attendance and participation of labourers, it will also witness the participation of government employees and private institutional departments in Sharjah. Once the event begins, the matches will be held every Friday during the period at the Sharjah Sports Council Stadiums based in Sharjah National Park, opposite Sharjah International Airport.

On the sidelines of the tournament, a variety of family events will be held, enabling the workers and their families to enjoy their weekends.

Organized in cooperation with the Sharjah Sports Council (SSC) and Reach Target Sports Company, the tournament serves as a bridge to promote healthy lifestyle among the workers.

Salem Yousef Al Qaseer, Chairman of Labour Standards Development Authority in Sharjah, said: “The Labour Standards Development Authority in emirate was established under the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to enhance the labour environment.

“We are very pleased with the success of two previous editions of the tournament, and are confident that the coming event will be better comparing to the past one’s.

“The Labour Sports Tournament aims to make sports a lifestyle for the working class, as well as serve as a mechanism to entertain themselves through practicing in various sports.

“All these values are integral parts of the LSDA’s strategy that has been developed under the direct supervision of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council,” Qaseer added.

Tariq Salim Al Khanbashi, Founder and Director of Reach Target Co. for Sports and Commitments Services said, “We are delighted to be associated with Labour Sports Festival in Sharjah and hope that we will live up to the faith and confidence of Sharjah Standards Development Authority.

As an organization, we are ready to manage the championship in the best possible way with the help of our dedicated teams and seamless processes.

While we have started the necessary preparations since months, it is our goal to work and support Sharjah Standards Develop Authority with continuous support that will not only enhance the game of sports, but also serve as a common platform for thousands of athletes to break away from the daily work routine, and achieve greater cooperation among employees working in various companies and institutions of the state. “

Khanbashi added: “The championship will not only be limited to participants in football, basketball, volleyball, cricket and hockey but will also be a meeting point for different people and nationalities from the communities living in the country.”

During the championship, a special area will be provided for fans, through which a group of games associated with the events will be held.

These games are particularly crafted to attract the families of the participants in the championships, in order to enable them to spend enjoyable moments with their families.