Pepsi Sport Fiesta concluded on a colourful note at a well-attended carnival and celebration, with organisers honouring the top school sports talent of this year.
The Fiesta formed one of the important activities of this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival and more than 40 schools participating in the event. Tuesday’s closing ceremony welcomed VIP’s from the UAE Inter-School Sports Association, Global Village and Dubai Refreshment Company (DRC), founders of the Pepsi Sport Fiesta.
“It is very satisfying to see everyone excited and enjoying themselves after many weeks of hard work,” said May El-Labban, Key Accounts Manager, Sales and Marketing, Dubai Refreshments Company (DRC).
“A great deal of effort went into the planning of this event, and we feel proud that so many students took part in five weeks of great sport entertainment,” El-Labban added.
In the senior basketball finals, Ahlieh Khayrieh School overpowered defending champions Sharjah American School, with best player Sami Al Hassan leading the team to a closely fought 23 -21 victory.
Omar Mirza from Sharjah American School and Hussein Abdullah from Saad Bin Abi Waqaas School were awarded the Most Valuable Players in the senior and junior categories respectively for their consistent performance and commitment.
The girls’ category saw Dubai International School take the crown for the third consecutive year after defeating first-time participants Safia Al Qurashiyah 14-10. Farah Marwan Abu Saleh from Al Maarefah School won the most valuable player award for top performance and sportsmanship.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum School defeated Dubai National School 8-7 on penalties, with Murad Omar winning the best goalkeeper in the football senior category. Dubai International School (Garhoud) and Andalus Private School won the best football team in the senior and junior categories respectively.
In partnership with the UAE Schools Federation, Pepsi Sport Fiesta basketball and football school tournaments featured 40 teams from various UAE intermediate and high schools.
El-Labban added: “We saw some great matches this year with some of the very best young talent at the sport fiesta championship. With the overwhelming response we received this year, we hope to take the Sport Fiesta to a higher level next year.”
Meanwhile, Friday February 9, will see the close of the Pepsi Slam Jam and Power ball championships with many teams competing for the winning title.
With ongoing competitions for visitors on the basketball court, Dubai Refreshments Company (DRC) offers opportunities for all to win additional prizes that include MP3 players, mountain bikes, creative DVD, and gift vouchers from Wild Wadi throughout Pepsi Sport Fiesta. Registration for Pepsi Slam Jam and Power ball championships are open to all participants, at Gate 3, Global Village.
For close to half a century, DRC has supported the initiatives launched by the Government of Dubai that have helped firmly establish the emirate as one of the most exciting destinations in the world.
The Pepsi Sports Fiesta is sponsored by Wild Wadi and ETRI.
