Indian youngster enters quarter-finals with ease

Dubai: The last quarter-final slot in the juniors' category of Gulf News Blockbusters has been taken by a youngster from India who initially turned up only to watch the competition.

Twelve-year-old Manas George, a pupil at Our Own Indian School in Dubai's Al Quoz district, won Saturday's heat with an impressive display of speed and knowledge.

Manas asked to enter the competition only after watching some of the other young contestants battle it out. Fortunately, there was a vacancy because another competitor pulled out at the last moment.

Manas said: "It feels really good to get this far because initially I only came to watch. However, one of the junior contestants pulled out very late and I was able to take that place. I've taken part in school quizzes but never anything like this before.

"I read a lot and whenever my teacher leaves the classroom I get my book out. I'm confident of going further but I think I'll have to do a lot more reading to prepare for the quarter-finals. It's a good atmosphere in the theatre and you feel good at heart."

Manas' father George Thomas, vice-president of finance and human resources at a Dubai-based environmental protection services company, said he was very proud after watching his son progress to the latter stages of the tournament.

He said: "He has done very well to get this stage and I'm sure he will have a big following in the crowd at the next round.

"We weren't even aware there was a juniors category in Gulf News Blockbusters."

Four 6-10-year-olds also got the chance to have a go at Gulf News Blockbusters on Saturday as the organisers arranged two special contests.