UAE | General

Gulf News Blockbusters heats underway today

The long wait for the return of Gulf News' hugely popular promotion - Blockbusters - is finally over as the first heats get underway this afternoon.

  • By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:47 September 3, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
  • Joji Joseph, operations manager at Al Futtaim Technologies, during the preparation for Gulf News Blockbusters.

Dubai: The long wait for the return of Gulf News' hugely popular promotion - Blockbusters - is finally over as the first heats get underway this afternoon.

The event kicks off at 3pm on Thursday with 16 singles players battling it out at the Kilachand Theatre in Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (Ductac) at the Mall of the Emirates. Spectators can drop in and watch host Stuart McClean quiz the contestants in his inimitable style but seating is limited.

The adults' singles, which begins on Thursday, will be followed by the adults' teams from September 7-9. The juniors' segment begins on September 10 and the seniors' heats will take place from September 22-27. The juniors' and seniors' events are scheduled later in the month due to school reopening dates.

The revival of Gulf News Blockbusters is being supported by the Al Futtaim Group, who also sponsored the event in the late 80s and early 90s. There are big prizes to be won in all categories in addition to daily audience prizes.

The event is being presented by Plug-Ins Electronics and the prizes are being provided courtesy of Toshiba. There are first, second, joint third and fourth prizes in each category as well as prizes for audience questions each day.

Vishesh Bhatia, group director (electronics, engineering and technologies) of Al Futtaim Group, said: "I'm glad that Al Futtaim Electronics is once again part of Gulf News' revival of this very popular show. We supported the event over a decade ago and we do so now, clear in the thought that the show will help everyone engage creatively with their contemporaries and peers while also developing the UAE as a strong knowledge-based society."

Advertisements will appear daily in Gulf News throughout Ramadan with an entry form inviting participation. To enter, the participant must fill the form and either post or fax it to Gulf News or send it by e-mail to blockbusters@gulfnews.com

Forms for seniors and juniors categories need to be accompanied by a passport photocopy for age verification. Juniors' entries must also be signed by a parent or guardian.

Duleep George, Executive Director, Marketing and Sales at Al Nisr Group, said: "We are thrilled with the response and look forward to seeing some exciting games with both new and previous participants.

"It is particularly delightful to see entries in the adults' categories from some of the previous juniors' players, then students and now successful professionals. It is this spirit of Blockbusters that has been one of the reasons for this revival."

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