Salih Hamad Al Manhali and Saeed Muhammad Al Mehairi have secured their places in the second round of the 25th Fazza Championship for Yola and the 21st season of the Maidan program during the third episode. This episode was distinguished by its details and fast pace, with the participants showing closely matched levels. The competition, organized by the Fazza Championships Management, took place at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Centre for Heritage. In the third episode, four Yola athletes competed in six challenges: Yola, assembling the shield, swimming, archery, poetry recitation, and camel racing. Salih Al Manhali (Abu Dhabi) excelled with a score of 60 points, and he was joined in the next round by Saeed Al Mehairi (Dubai) with 55 points. Third place went to Rashid Al Kaabi (Ras Al Khaimah) with 50 points, and fourth place went to Hamid Saeed Al Razi (Ajman) with 35 points. The two qualifiers join Obaid Hamad Al Ali, Salem Faisal Al Huzo, Hamdan Thafir Al Hababi, and Nihan Masri Al Mansoori, who had already advanced from the previous two episodes, with anticipation building for who will claim the last two spots in the next episode. The episode began with a Yola performance to the tune of the song "Salt of the Emirates," where the participants showcased an elegant display of skills, including weapon control, rhythmic walking, weapon drawing, and reception. In this challenge, Rashid Al Kaabi and Saeed Al Mehairi each scored 25 points. In the swimming challenge, Al Manhali and Al Mehairi also took the lead, each earning 15 points. In poetry recitation, Al Kaabi and Al Razi secured the points for that challenge. As for the archery challenge, which was held live on the Maidan stage, Al Manhali and Al Mehairi also earned 15 points each. In the shield assembly challenge, both Al Kaabi and Al Manhali managed to score, each earning 10 points. Finally, in the camel racing challenge, held at the Marrum track at the competition venue itself, Al Manhali and Al Razi excelled, each earning 20 points. Natalie Joseph Oudassian, Director of Radio, Media, and Corporate Communications and Head of the Tournament's Organizing Committee at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Centre for Heritage, stated: "The Fazza Yola Championship represents a constantly renewing cultural space that we cherish by reviving one of the most important elements of Emirati heritage. It is not merely a heritage event but an effective platform that contributes to highlighting the national identity and cementing its presence in the consciousness of generations." She added that the challenges inspired by popular heritage that the championship offers form a bridge linking youth to their heritage, allowing them to showcase their abilities within a framework that reflects the values of courage, willpower, and the spirit of belonging that have distinguished the people of the Emirates throughout history. Oudassian emphasized: "The true value of the Fazza Yola Championship extends beyond the competition results. It brings together participants from various emirates around a common heritage that reinforces the meaning of unity and social cohesion. Participation in this championship is, in itself, a celebration of heritage and an enhancement of the relationship between generations and their history and culture. Therefore, we consider everyone who stands on the Maidan stage a winner to the extent that they preserve this legacy." It is worth noting that the episode was presented by Rashid Harib Al Shalwani, Director of Fazza Championships at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Centre for Heritage, and was broadcast live on Sama Dubai TV, on Al Oula radio, and on the Hamdan bin Mohammed Centre for Heritage's YouTube channel. Artist Abdulrahman Al Janaid was a guest on the third episode of the Maidan program, where he performed the song "Mod." Al Janaid grew up with a love for heritage and folklore, a trait that is reflected in many of his songs, which are distinguished by this character. Natalie Oudassian: • "The Championship" is not just a heritage event, but an effective platform that contributes to highlighting the national identity and cementing its presence in the consciousness of generations. • Al Manhali scored 60 points, securing his first-place finish and advancement to the next round.
