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World's elite commandos compete in UAE

Dubai - Commandos will compete in different scenarios, including rescuing hostages or injured officers, tower challenges and various obstacle courses.

Sixty SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactic) teams from 50 countries are going head-to-head at the inaugural UAE SWAT Challenge, organised by the Dubai Police and taking place until February 14 at Al Ruwayaa Training City. 
The elite commandos will compete in different scenarios, including rescuing hostages or injured officers, tower challenges and various obstacle courses. A total of $170,000 (Dh620,000) cash prizes are at stake at the competition, including a challenge prize of $10,000 (Dh36,500) for the top three teams each day.
The UAE SWAT Challenge is held under the patronage of Lt-Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and under the directive of Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police.
Al Marri told Khaleej Times: "The competition is aimed at sharing best practices among the elite SWAT teams. Even if we are from different countries and continents and we speak different languages and have various cultures, at the end of the day, we all work for a safe community and city.
"The challenge is designed to create cooperation between all SWAT Teams on a global level and for members to participate in fact-based scenarios; in an effort to create best practices in a friendly environment," he added.
Al Marri said the "participating SWAT teams will put on a remarkable display of skill, spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork and intensity". 
Colonel Obaid bin Yarouf, UAE SWAT Challenge general coordinator, said a special jury from the New York Police Department and the Dubai Police will choose the winners based on five challenge categories, including the tactical and weaponry skills of the participating teams. 
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