Sheikh Hamdan cheers on Gov Games players in Dubai

Sheikh Hamdan with the Gov Games participants at the Kite Beach in Dubai.-Photo by Juidin Bernarrd

They came, they saw, they conquered. Sixty-two municipal, federal and international women's teams had the first crack at the giant obstacle gauntlet at Dubai's Kite Beach on Day 1 of Gov Games 2.0 on Wednesday.
And they had a very special spectator cheering them on: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
Sporting a grey shirt, black jogging pants, white cap and sneakers, Sheikh Hamdan was seen giving instructions to his F3 women's team on how the tackle the Power Drainer challenge. Two of five F3 team members successfully completed the obstacle that required jumping from one hanging platform to the next.
Ollie Turton, coach of F3 women's team, told Khaleej Times: "I trained my team as if they were men. Everything was difficult and it was their first time to participate in the games. I came early on Wednesday (April 3) and had a prior look at the obstacle course and gave them a few tips.
"I also told them to stay calm. I was super chuffed that one of them managed to earn extra points by hanging upside down in one of the obstacles."
Before the sun set, a gentle breeze and slight drizzle engulfed the beach and the action was set in full gear.
Hundreds of women participants came jumping, swinging and crossing barriers to avoid dropping into a pool of iced water. They also formed a human ladder to help their teammates get past an eight-metre-high inflatable and carried weight blocks to reach the end of the section.
They crawled through tunnels, getting past cargo nets and crossing bungee gauntlets.
Mental agility was required as well as focus, confidence and some mathematical problem-solving skills. Upper and lower body strengths were tested but the most important element was teamwork that helped them through the nine obstacles.
Supporters, friends, families and office colleagues also came in good numbers to cheer on their favourite teams.
Leanne Miles, team manager of the Ministry of Education, said: "We were in the finals last year but unfortunately the climbing wall defeated us. We came back here to finish our unfinished business.
"After last year, we were aware that tactics are important. Where possible we tried to plan ahead, use the team members as best as we could, play to our strengths, rest people and mix up the team," added Miles, who missed out on the action this year as she is pregnant.
"Upper body strengths and climbing are our main strengths so we've tried to focus there. We've tried to prepare for the Human Ladder. Last year we were the only team to complete it. And we're back to win it, but there's some tough competition out there."
As for their training, she said: "We all keep fit regularly, we all work in the physical education department, so it's important to practise what we preach. A lot of us compete in obstacle races around the UAE, but the set up at Gov Games is fantastic, the challenges are tough and it's really great fun."
F3 women's team topped Heat 1 of Gov Games on Wednesday (April 3).
After going through nine obstacles, F3 scored 128.05 points.
The women's team from the Ministry of Education came in second place with 69.40 points, followed by Dubai Tourism in third place with 63.53 points.
Sheikh Hamdan increased the total prize pool from Dh2 million to Dh3 million.
The additional prize pool will be split between the runners-up and third-place teams in the men's and women's competitions. The runner-up in each category will receive a prize of Dh300,000, while third-place finishers will each receive Dh200,000 per team.
The men's and women's Gov Games champions will receive Dh1 million each.
All-women team from Saudi Arabia at the games
Team KSA, who participated in the Gov Games for the first time, also gave their best to overcome the challenges.
Team captain Rawh Alarfaj said they trained hard back home before coming to Dubai. Some of their training programmes included regular crossfit training and doing obstacles similar to Spartan Race and the Desert Warrior. "We came here to win but also to enjoy the games," Alarfaj added.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE

Angel Tesorero

angel@khaleejtimes.com