National Guard retain Tug-of-War crown, Al Tadawi 1 set up title clash with Al Hilal

The National Guard created some history of their own as they successfully defended their Tug-of-War crown at the 12th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament being held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.

Arguably the largest sporting event of its kind that has been launched and sponsored by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, this tournament is held annually during the holy month of Ramadan under directives of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council.

The competition, under the slogan ‘Limitless Abilities’, was attended by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Bin Saif Al Sharqi, Vice President of the International Body Building Federation and President of the Emirates Body Building Federation; Major General Khalifa Rashid Al Hamli, Director of the Office of the Minister of Defence; Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council; and Hassan Al Mazrouei, Tournament Director.

Fully aware of the formidable challenge of defending their title in the Government Departments and Institutions category, the National Guard started strong, taking the first round for a 1-0 lead. However, the Ministry of Defence responded swiftly, claiming the second round and setting up a thrilling decider.

The third round was close with the Ministry of Defence digging in deep to hold the defending champions at bay, till a crucial tug helped the Natural Guard successfully hold on to their title for yet another year.

Earlier, the Land Forces team took third place after defeating the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Defence team 2-0.

In the Junior category, Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club edged past Sharjah Sports Council 2-1 to claim victory, while A25 Gym secured third place with a 2-0 win over Sharjah Academy for Police Sciences. In the Community category, Truss General Trading triumphed over Al Asifa 2-0, while Al Kawaser took third place, defeating IFBB Academy by the same score.

Meanwhile, Al Tadawi 1 will meet Al Hilal in the final of the Volleyball Championship that will officially bring the curtains down on the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, late on Thursday.

Watched by Abdullah Al Darmaki, President of the UAE Volleyball Association, and Stanislav Shevchenko, President of the Russian Volleyball Federation, both teams took the last step into the final in contrasting styles.

Al Tadawi 1 secured an easy 3-0 win against Al Samawi, while Al Hilal overcame a minor hitch before securing a 3-1 win against Al Ameed in the second semi-final.

Al Tadawi 1 were always in control with their outside hitter Anton Semyshev in top gear with 14 points, while opposite Maksim Sapozhkov gave full support with 12 points.

Al Samawi tried to make a contest out of the match with Egor Bogachev and Mubarak Al Mansouri rising to the occasion. However, the Al Tadawi 1 firepower was too much to handle for the team largely consisting of players from Bani Yas Club, Abu Dhabi.

In the second semi-final, Al Hilal felt the initial sting after losing the opening set 22-25 against Al Ameed. After that they remained in full control winning the next three sets, 25-23, 25-17 and 25-18 to earn the right to move into an engrossing final on Thursday.

Tadawi 1, consisting of players mostly from Dynamo Moscow— past winners of the European Volleyball Federation Cup on four occasions and champions of the Russian Volleyball Championship nine times — have been the standout team during the course of their unbeaten march to the final.

Al Hilal, featring players from Italy’s Grottazzolina, is expecting to make an impression when they come up against a totally different school of volleyball on Thursday.

“Going by the form of the two teams, we can surely hope for a close final on Thursday,” Al Hilal coach Ortenzi, admitted.

“We want to stay positive and treat this as any match that is worth fighting for till the end. There is never a doubt in my mind that we can get this done. The only thing is that my players have to believe they can do it,” he added.