After a long marathon and in an exceptional night, Yoel Mansur Mohamed Al-Ahbabi was crowned champion of the 25th Fazza Championship for Yola and the 21st season of the Maidan program, organized by the Fazza Championships Management, at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Center for Heritage. Al-Ahbabi's (Abu Dhabi) victory came after he outperformed his competitor, Saeed Mohamed Al-Mheiri (Dubai), in the final round with a score of 70 to 40 points. This was the result of comprehensive traditional challenges, as the program prepares participants to arm themselves with knowledge and skills that enrich their folk heritage and instill it in them, following in the footsteps of their ancestors. These challenges include Yola, camel racing, swimming, poetry counting, archery, and "saddle assembly." The two competitors presented a spectacular final Yola performance, combining elegance and strength, while the weapons soared amidst the large audience's reaction, as each tried to set his own pace and gain confidence from the start, a round distinguished by each contestant performing Yola individually. Al-Ahbabi excelled in the swimming challenge, adding 15 points to his score, while Al-Mheiri managed to score in the poetry counting. Al-Mheiri returned to the competition after excelling in the archery challenge, held directly on the Maidan stage, where he successfully hit all targets, earning 15 points that intensified the challenge's tension. Anticipation was high for the camel race, held directly at Al-Marrum racetrack in the heart of the event, where Al-Ahbabi surpassed all, earning 20 points, which proved decisive in tipping the scales in his favor. The Fazza Yola Championship final was an exceptional evening on the Maidan stage at the Dubai Camel Racing Club in Al-Marrum, where the spirit of heritage blended with the pulse of art in a night that confirmed the symbolic status the championship has reached after a quarter-century of excellence. The competition's judge, Khalifa bin Sabai, expressed his great admiration for their performance and awarded Al-Ahbabi 25 points for Yola, which was crucial to his victory. In the saddle assembly challenge, both contestants managed to complete it correctly within the allotted time, earning their points. The evening featured a high artistic and poetic level, reflecting the cultural and national dimension that has become a hallmark of the conclusion of this historic championship. Artist Ahlam Al Shamsi and star Hussein Al Jasmi presented a special musical night that interacted with the Maidan audience, affirming the connection of Emirati artists to the Fazza Yola Championship as a unifying national platform. Ahlam performed the song "At-Toud" with lyrics by Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmaq and music by Ahmed Al Harmi, dedicated to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the State, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, God protect him. Hussein Al Jasmi shone with the song "Al Hakima" with lyrics by Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmaq and music by Faisal Al Said, dedicated to the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the State, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, God protect him, Her Highness Sheikh Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, in a work that carried the meanings of loyalty and pride in the leadership. Poet Saif Al Saadi was also a guest in the final episode, reciting his poem "Fahr Al Adab" ("Pride of Literature"), which proclaimed love for the homeland and wise leadership, as well as the journey of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Minister of Defence, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, adding a poetic dimension that enhanced the identity and depth of the finale. In the closing night that united art, poetry, and heritage in one scene, the CEO of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Center for Heritage, Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmaq, accompanied by the Center's Deputy CEO and Secretary-General of the UAE Falconry Racing Union, Rashid Mubarak bin Marhan Al Kutbi, crowned Mansour Al Ahbabi with the Al Murajjal Cup amidst a celebratory atmosphere reflecting the spirit of brotherhood and belonging, embodying the image of Maidan as a national space where values meet, and concluding the story of a full season of passion and identity. "Best Participant" The winner of the "Best Participant" award was Kipali Rashid Al Kipali (Ras Al Khaimah), awarded to the participant most committed to training, cooperation with colleagues, and adherence to sportsmanship. Al Kipali considered his participation in the championship a very important stage, and he is proud and honored to be part of this season, thanking everyone who supported him after his injury at the start of the championship, confirming his ambition to return and compete for the title again. The final episode also saw a notable presence of participants who had previously taken part in the Maidan program since its inception, among those who were previously crowned Maidan Knights, an initiative credited to the organizing committee and reflecting its awareness of the value of continuity. The participants presented an expressive heritage tableau reflecting the depth of the heritage, confirming its firm place, and linking the past with the pulse of the present in a celebratory scene worthy of the program's history.
