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Season of Yola dance contest begins on Jan 4

DUBAI — For weeks photos and billboards of Chairman of Dubai Executive Council Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum have lined the roads of Dubai and finally season three of Maydan was announced yesterday.

Shaikh Hamdan, patron of the Fazza traditional Yola competition, has helped the revival of the traditional Yola dance since the show began in 2002.

The third season of Maydan would begin on January 4 and hundreds across the GCC countries had already auditioned, it was announced at a Press conference here yesterday.

As many as 120 competitors from across the UAE, Oman and other GCC countries were chosen as runners up while 40 finalists will appear on Maydan 3 on Sama Dubai TV Channel of Dubai Media Inc.

Shaikh Hamdan Al Maktoum again reiterated his unequivocal support for revival of the popular legacy as one of the stepping stones to help the UAE stay in touch with cultural heritage.

“Heritage is one of the barometers which measure the progress of nations and their role in the comity of nations.

“Heritage gives individuals the stimulation to steam ahead into the future,” said Shaikh Hamdan.

He said the Yola championships had generated an overwhelming response across the Arab world and even internationally.

“The one-man Yola art exhibits ancient Arab values like heroism, bravery and competition.

“The Yola art is setting a living example of how UAE people adhere to their national identity and history,” Shaikh Hamdan said.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the finale of the competition and his generous donations to the winners were called a commendable gesture from a “valiant knight” by speakers at the Press conference including competition supervisor Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmook.

Ahmed Al Mansouri, director of Sama Dubai, said the final rounds had been shot in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Dhaid.

He said the theatre which hosted the competition at the Global Village was expanded to cater to the increasing crowd of audience.

He announced that the first serial of the programme would go on air on January 4 and it would last for 15 weeks. Some 30 out of 45 serials would be dedicated to the Knight of the Ring.