‘It’s like a puzzle’: Abu Dhabi Police hope to be third time lucky in Dubai

Dubai: Abu Dhabi Police are preparing for their third attempt to secure the top spot in the prestigious Dubai Games finals.

In the qualifying rounds of the ‘Battle of Government’ men’s category, held at Dubai Festival City, the seven-member police team earned the number one spot with 121 points, bagging a place in the Sunday’s grand showdown.

“We have participated in all editions of the Games. This is our third time qualifying for the finals. Our commitment has been continuously acknowledged and supported by the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ. We hope to win in the finals,” Tareq Mubarak Al Balooshi, team manager, told Gulf News.

In the qualifier, teams are tested across seven obstacles, with 10 minutes allotted to complete the challenging stages: Elevator, Unreachable, Grip, Force, Ball Rush, Human Ladder, and Bulldozer.

Al Balooshi noted that the team members have received specialised training to tackle the technical and physical challenges.

“They’ve been trained to tackle obstacles with skills like crawling through tight spaces and hanging from a high bar. We have experts on the team who know how to handle different challenges. The members are well-versed in CrossFit, bodybuilding, running, and various other athletic disciplines,” Al Balooshi said, noting that there were dedicated training sessions in addition to their regular duties as policemen.

‘It’s like a puzzle’

Despite facing setbacks twice in the finals, where they failed to win the top prize, the team members remain confident and determined to succeed.

“Every year, there’s always been one element that challenges us in the final obstacle, and it’s often like a puzzle. We just need a bit of luck to crack it, but we firmly believe that we have it in us to succeed this time.”

Al Balooshi highlighted the strong bond within the team, which could be a crucial factor on Sunday.

“Our team members have been working together for a while now, and we’re like brothers. Everyone knows what needs to be done, and we’re ready to give it our all.”

In addition to Abu Dhabi Police, three other teams have qualified for the finals of the ‘Battle of the Government’ men’s category: the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation — Ajman (113.74 points), the Ministry of Defence (113.63 points), and Dubai State Security (112.19 points).