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As part of the activities to celebrate the UAE’s 43^rd National Day, the Student Activities Section at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, organized the 2^nd edition of the Jebel Hafeet Challenge. There were 512 runners, 50 student volunteers and a large number students, faculty, staff, high school students, special needs students and other members of the local community in attendance.

The race was started by His Excellency Professor Mohamed Albaili, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Provost), in the presence of His Excellency Professor Ghaleb Ali Alhadrami, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment as well as Mr. Fadel Khalil Al Mansouri, the Director of the Community and Sport Department at Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Professor Albaili was quoted as saying that UAEU was, “proud of being part of the celebrations all over the country on National Day. As this sporting challenge includes most sectors of the community and a diversity of age groups it embodies the loyalty and feelings of national identity and shared values of the people of the UAE. Such events express the unity of purpose amongst the different sectors and institutions of the wider community. This is also reflected in the active supporting role of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.”

Mr. Fadel Khalil Al Mansouri praised the organization of this sporting activity and stressed the cooperation between the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and UAEU. He added that such events enhance the principle of community partnership and help to foster patriotism as people make a positive contribution to celebrating the UAE’s 43^rd National Day.

Ibrahim Mukhtar, the Director of the Sports and Recreational Activities Unit at UAEU and the chair of the organizing committee explained that, “there were fitness criteria for participation as the race is 2 kilometers up the mountain. The contestants were divided into groups – secondary school students, male university students, a general male category, female university students and an open female group.

The winners in various categories were: Saif Abdallah Al Aloui, Anwar Al Gooz and Sifani TJ. Huda Al Sheikh and Mohammed Al Ahbabi won the special needs category. The prize-giving ceremony was accompanied by a UAE folklore show (Ayala), and an Egyptian folk dance.