Dubai: Gulf News, which has been consistently covering Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) since its inception in 1996, has scooped up seven prizes for the latest DSF journalism and photography competitions, including the Best DSF Coverage Award.
Every year, Gulf News dedicates its resources to cover DSF attractions the event is the region's largest shopping, tourism and entertainment extravaganza.
Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Executive Director Publications and Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News, said: "When we do our work, we don't put it in our heads to win prizes. We work to meet our readers' expectations be it a story, picture or design.
"We strive to do it for our readers as our happiness lies in the hands of our readers. We understand in our work that whatever individuals achieve, be they a reporter, photographer or designer, they couldn't have done it without the help of the bigger team which includes all the people in charge of producing the paper."
Tradition
The photography department, following a strong tradition of prize winning, has won four out of six awards for both the shopping and celebrations categories. The winning pictures were taken by Hadrian Hernandez, who won first prize in the shopping category, Javed Nawab won second prize in the celebrations category and Arshad Ali won third prize in the same category. Business reporter Nadia Saleem, won third prize for the best shopping photography award.
The DSF Photography Award is an extension of the Journalism Award which aims to acknowledge the important role played by photography in covering events,
"I'm very happy to receive this prize. I love the fact that during DSF families go out and spend with their families. For this reason, the event is kind of sad for me because my family is not here and it always reminds me of when they were here. Now I've won, I can buy presents for my family and am considering going home to see them," said Hernandez, chief photographer at Gulf News.
Prize winner, Arshad Ali, staff photographer has had many years experience taking photographs for the DSF festival holding a first prize in 2005 and a second prize in 2008.
"I like all the activities of the festival. It brings a lot of tourists in and families together. My family is here now so I'm happy to be able to celebrate with them. The competition is a good experience for photographers and for building up their recognition," he said.
In addition to individual prizes, the awards have also been a proud moment for the department.
"I'm very proud for our whole team; the photographers and the business section," says Javed Nawab, chief photographer for Gulf News.
Expanding her journalism skills, Nadia scooped third prize in the celebrations category. "I'm glad there are organisations like the DEPE [Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment], that encourage and reward media efforts for this very important retail and tourist event for Dubai. Being acknowledged for my work for the first time is a blessing. Gulf News has been great in its support for this award."
The business desk also carried away two prizes from the Journalism Award section with staff reporter Cleofe Maceda taking first prize for best local feature.
Staff reporter Zaher Bitar took second place for best feature. The DSF Journalism Awards were created to recognise the efforts of journalists in documenting and capturing DSF events, and in promoting it to a wider global audience.
"To win a prize in Dubai, a global business and financial centre is a challenge in itself. I am so happy as the prize is related to DSF one of the most important events in Dubai. It gives you a great feeling of self-confidence that you're doing well," said Zaher.
Maceda says her award is shared between her colleagues and editors for their support. "This is the first time I have joined the contest and luckily, I won! I am extremely proud and happy to win this award. And I thank the DSF organisers, especially the people behind DEPE, for recognising the best work in journalism.
"Acknowledging excellence is a great incentive for journalists to constantly strive to produce human interest stories that readers can relate to. It's not about the prize money. It's about the sense of pride I feel when I stand back and look at what I've done and how my stories have touched many readers."
In addition to the individual prizes, Gulf News carried away the prize for Best Daily Coverage.