Dubai: The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) pushed themselves among the elite few while winning the road race honours at the end of the third day of the Fourth Shaikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament on Friday.
After Dubai Public Prosecution had thrown open the fight for overall honours with the bowling crown on Wednesday, it was runners from Dewa taking things in their stride as they finished at the top ahead of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Public Prosecution in the 3km road race that attracted more than 80 runners from various government departments.
Held at the Al Khawaneej track on Friday morning, leading the Dewa surge was the duo of Nada Khalid Ahmad Omar and Rowda Al Mansouri. Staying in the front pack all the time, the two Dewa girls could not match the final sprint from Lara Amouri, who is a sales manager for broadcast and media with telecom provider, du.
Amouri finished the 3km race in a time of 14 minutes, 17.71 seconds, while the Dewa duo of Nada and Rowda followed with times of 14:31.90 and 14:55.30 respectively.
“It is definitely such a lovely feeling to win the first place in such a prestigious competition,” debutant Amouri told Gulf News.
“Though we are not alien to participating in other sporting events held in the UAE as part of our company’s emphasis of wellness and healthy lifestyle, this is the first time that we are participating in an important event like the Shaikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament,” she added.
Al Mansouri, who is normally on the football and handball teams for Dewa, was pleased with her third place. “All credit for this should go to Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, our managing director and CEO as he has always encouraged us to be competitive. We are all part of one big family, and success in such events will only bring us closer,” she said.
Organised by the Women and Sports Committee of the DSC under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bint Juma Al Maktoum, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, this year’s tournament has an increased prize fund of Dh600,000 in nine sports disciplines.
The next event on the schedule will be the cycle race to be held at the Nad Al Sheba racetrack from 7am on Saturday.
RESULTS
Teams: 1. Dewa (47 points); 2. RTA (50); 3. Dubai Public Prosecution (54).
Individual: 1. Lara Amouri (du — 14 mins, 17.71 secs); 2. Nada Khalid Ahmad Omar (Dewa — 14:31.90; 3. Rowda Al Mansouri (Dewa — 14:55.30).
