His Excellency Salem Yousef Al Qasir, Chairman of the Labor Standards Development Authority in Sharjah, in the presence of Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police and Head of the Local Team for Emergencies, Crises and Disasters in the Emirate, inaugurated, on Friday, February 5, 2021, the Fourth Sharjah Labour Sports Tournament on the sports fields of the Sharjah Sports Council in the Sharjah National Park, opposite Sharjah International Airport. Al Qaseer and Al Zari kicked off a ball opening a successful ceremony of the tournament which was organized by the Labour Standards Development Authority in Sharjah in cooperation with the Sharjah Sports Council and the Reach Target Sports Services Company. The ceremony was also attended by Sports Expert Saeed Al Aajil representing the Sharjah Sports Council, Tariq Salem Al Khanbashi, Founder and Director of Reach Target Sports Services, and Omar Salem Al Sharji, Director of Labour Policies Department at LSDA.
The concept of the tournament is based on holding several sports competitions among labour teams in five sports, as about 1000 players divided at 63 teams will participate as follows: football 15 teams, basketball 16 teams, cricket 12 teams, volleyball 10 teams, and hockey 10 teams. The teams are divided into groups in the league system of one round, with the first of each group ascending to the final rounds. As in the previous editions, which were greatly successful, the fourth edition will also witness a grand closing ceremony, to crown the winning teams and honor them with cash and kind prizes amounting to AED 250,000.
The first day of the tournament witnessed strong competitions among the participating teams. Taking into account preventive precautions, the competitions on the first day were limited to three sports, as six games were held in basketball, five in football, and four in hockey, while volleyball and cricket matches were postponed to the next week. All games of the competition, which will run until April 2, 2021, will be held at sports fields of the Sharjah Sports Council in Sharjah National Park, from 8 am to 11 am and from 1 pm to 5 pm.
His Excellency Salem Yousef Al Qaseer, Chairman of the Labour Standards Development Authority said this tournament indicates the interest of the Emirate of Sharjah in the well-being of the workers and in providing sports events to entertain them, to encourage them to have sports as their healthy lifestyle. He added that this comes in line with the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to improve the work environment in Sharjah. Thus, the strategic plan of the Labour Standards Development Authority in Sharjah seeks to raise the level of sports and social awareness among all workers in Sharjah, he added.
Al Qasser pointed out: “The Sharjah Labour Sports Tournament reflects the keen interest in the Emirate of Sharjah to improve the work environment, through holding such important activities that boost the spirit of fair competition among workers and participating teams, representing the government and private institutions. We at LSDA seek to increase these activities as instructed by His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council.
His Excellency Al Qaseer expressed satisfaction over the success of this tournament as witnessed in the previous three editions held in the past three years. He said: "This tournament, the first of its kind in the region, plays an important role in developing the spirit of cooperation and competition, promotes teamwork, and contributes to building bridges of acquaintance among all.” He thanked all those who contributed to the organization and success of the tournament, from the public and private sectors.
On his part, Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, Head of the Local Emergency Crisis and Disaster Team in the emirate, thanked the organizers of this distinguished tournament. He said, "This is organized and successful teamwork, applying all preventive measures in sports events in the country, such as conducting Coronavirus tests for all players. Such measures indicate the success in dealing with such events in a distinctly organized manner and indicate the capabilities available in Sharjah to contribute as an important factor in the success of such tournaments. "
Tariq Al Khanbashi also stressed that the tournament followed all precautionary measures required in sports events in the country. He said, "I would like to thank the Labour Standards Development Authority for its trust and support for us in organizing the tournament, and for giving workers the opportunity to participate in a sports tournament. The aim of cooperation with LSDA is to present an excellent tournament that contributes to the promotion of labour sport as a healthy lifestyle.