Dubai church honours unsung heroes at ‘Champions Carnival’

Dubai: In a beautiful gesture of appreciation, hundreds of blue-collar workers were treated to a day of joy, games and heartfelt tributes at the ‘Champions Carnival’ hosted by St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai.
The event marked with music and sports activities celebrated workers’ hard work, sacrifice and silent contributions to society.

Workers from more than 40 companies, representing sectors from construction to cleaning, participated in the event, engaging in friendly matches of cricket, football, volleyball and throwball. The air buzzed with cheers and laughter as teams battled it out in the true spirit of unity and fun.
The carnival saw the presence of officials from Dubai Municipality, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Police, and the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs, alongside senior executives of supporting companies. But the spotlight remained firmly on the workers – the ‘champions’ of the day.

Messages of love and appreciation

“You are the reason for today's celebration,” Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, said, while thanking the workers for their tireless service.
“You have left your countries of origin, even your loved ones and are here to work honestly and silently, making a great significant contribution to our society and to support your families. Thanks also to the volunteers who made this day of celebration possible.”
In a moving message on the power of compassion, Abdullah Lashkari, Permanent Committee for Labor Affairs, said: “Love is a true champion. It strengthens us, uplifts others, and brings peace to our family and world.  When we spread love, the world welcomes us in this life and thereafter. Functions and events may last only a few days, but love stays. So, speak with love, act with love and give with love.”

Rev Fr Lennie J.A. Connully, Parish Priest at St Mary’s Catholic Church, termed workers as the “backbone” of the society.
“This event is a thank-you tribute to bring fun and entertainment into the lives of more than 1,000 male and female workers.”

Champions on the field

Among the many spirited participants was Gayani, a Sri Lankan expat and member of the ladies' cricket champion team.
“We won all our matches and had a lot of fun. There was plenty of entertainment: games on one side, songs and dances on the other. We never got bored. We’re already looking forward to coming back for the next edition.”
Meanwhile, Wendaline, a nanny from the Philippines, said the event was a chance to express hidden talents.
“I was so happy to sing my favourite singer Bryan Adam’s song. I didn’t make it to the top three, but I’m grateful for the platform. I’ll sing better next time and win.”

Community effort

The carnival was made possible by the support of generous sponsors and volunteers. Notably, Dubai’s Gurudwara provided food rations for all attending workers, adding a touching gesture of interfaith solidarity. Grand raffles brought extra excitement, with the Dh10,000 first prize going to a worker.