171 teams to participate in third edition of Gov Games in 2020

A total of 171 teams have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Gov Games 2020 as interaction and excitement continues to grow among organizations throughout the country ahead of the event.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council and organized by the Executive Council of Dubai in cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council, the third edition comprises obstacles including a series of creative and innovative competitions that will be held from the March 18-21, 2020 at Kite Beach in Dubai.

This year’s edition of the event, which celebrates the theme, ‘One team, One spirit,’ will see teams competing against one another as they are presented with numerous mental and physical challenges that aim to redefine what is possible, exceed perceived strength, enhance determination, promote diversity, celebrate teamwork, and spread excellency and tolerance among government employees and participants from around the world.

This year will also witness the introduction of a new exciting challenge that gives international cities the chance to compete and be the champion of the new ‘Battle of the Cities’ category, while local and federal government entities will race to victory for the local title.

The overwhelming response from the participants reflects the commitment of government entities to contribute to the vision of Sheikh Hamdan to inspire and connect people in order to overcome obstacles and achieve accomplishments that reinforce the leading international position of Dubai and the UAE as this edition of the games is set to feature the participation of 135 local government teams consisting of 99 men’s teams and 36 women’s teams.

Sheikh Hamdan, who conceived the Gov Games initiative, declared the launch of the new ‘Battle of the Cities’ category, which will further evolve the games into a global sporting event. This category will welcome teams representing cities from the United States (US), France, Sweden, Australia, Russia, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Norway, Greece, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Armenia, south Korea in addition to south Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

Now in its third edition, Gov Games continues to reflect the UAE’s vision to inspire people to come together and work closely towards achieving mutual objectives--marked by the positive results that it has created in the last few years and success in positioning the event at the top of the emirate’s sports agenda.

Last year’s edition of the event saw astonishing performances from the female teams, which puts them on the same advanced level of the male teams. Gov Games is expected to see the participation of numerous international teams in the pioneering ‘Battle of the cities’ category.

In the last edition of the event, a total of 168 local, federal and international teams vied for the top prize of Dh1 million.

The first initiative of its kind in the world, the Gov Games aimed to promote team spirit and collaboration among government employees. The competitions at the Games have been designed according to the highest global standards.

The winning men’s and women’s teams were awarded the title of ‘Gov Games Champions’.

In response to the unprecedented success of the Gov Games, Sheikh Hamdan had generously increased the total prize fund from Dhs2 million to Dhs3 million.

The additional prize pool was split between the runners-up and third-place teams in the men’s and women’s competitions.

The runner-up in each category will receive a prize of Dhs300,000, while third-place finishers will each receive Dhs200,000 per team. The respective men’s and women’s Gov Games champions will receive Dhs1 million each.

Expanded for its second edition, Gov Games 2019, were held in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, and saw 168 teams battle through a series of mental and physical challenges housed within 10 mind-defying obstacles made from more than 1,300 tonnes of steel. The 168 teams comprise 106 men’s teams and 62 women’s teams, with 15 international teams from nine countries joining the action.

The obstacles, carried names such as Aquaphobia, The Human Ladder 2.0, Wipeout, The Trap, The Grinder, Power Drainer, The Weakest Link, Alzheimer, Breathless and Battleship, collectively feature more than four million litres of water and three kms of specialist orienteering ropes.