UAE’s Biggest Inter-University Sports Festival concludes at Gulf Medical University
Ajman (Press release): One of UAE’s largest inter-university sports festivals concluded on a high note with grand awards ceremony at the Gulf Medical University’s campus. Popularly known as Gulf Medical University Sports Festival brings together more than 2,000 students from 25 universities across the seven emirates. Now in its 21st edition, the week-long festival scaled new heights with more competitors than ever before.
Universities battled it out to achieve top spots in sports such as football, cricket, throwball (only girls), basketball, volleyball along with indoor games such as chess, badminton and table tennis. Prof Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor, Gulf Medical University, was the chief guest of the closing ceremony, which was held in the presence of members of the academic leadership team of GMU, faculty/staff members and students from various colleges. All participants were awarded certificates of participation.
Professor Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University, said, “The landmark annual event hosted by us is always much anticipated by the student community not just for goals and winning trophies but for the warm camaraderie among the students at the campus. It takes many hands and lots of effort to organise a sporting extravaganza of this magnitude, but at the Gulf Medical University it becomes easy as the entire faculty, staff and students works in tandem with the passion to make this sports fest successful and glorious year after year.”
Over 2000 students from 25 universities/colleges in the UAE competed in the event which was hosted by Body & Soul Health Club & Spa- the leading network of health clubs operated by the Hospitality Division of Thumbay Group. In football, University of Wollongong won the first place in boys while Herriot Watt University secured the first position in girls. In cricket, De Montfort University won the first place in boys, while the Gulf Medical University stood first in girls. In volleyball, Success Point College won the first place in boys, while the RAK Medical University ranked first in girls. In basketball, University of Sharjah won the first place for both- boys and girls. In throw-ball, Gulf Medical University girls outplayed the rest to secure the first prize. In badminton, BITS Pilani won the first place in boys while America University of Sharjah secured the first position in girls. In table tennis, University of Sharjah won the first place in boys, while the University of Wollongong stood first in girls. In chess, BITS Pilani won the first place in boys, while the University of Sharjah ranked first in girls.
The grand sports event is held each year keeping in view the philosophy of Gulf Medical University “Healthy Body for a Healthy Mind” and to instill the spirit of sportsmanship and healthy competition among the students. The event has been helpful in engaging the student community in the UAE and empowering them with the spirit of sportsmanship, inter-professional teamwork and wellness.
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Iran war halts Marathwada turmeric exports, prices drop in domestic market
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): The ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has halted turmeric exports from Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, causing domestic prices to crash from Rs 16,500 to Rs 13,000 per quintal.
Shiv Sena MLC Hemant Patil on Tuesday said that turmeric cultivated in Marathwada is exported to the Gulf and African countries, but the war that broke out last month has halted exports completely.
Turmeric is a cash crop cultivated in nearly 2 lakh acres in Hingoli district, and the Vasmat variety received a Geographical Identification (GI) tag in 2024.
Containers of turmeric from Hingoli and adjoining regions are shipped out of the country from Tamil Nadu and Kerala after processing, said Patil, who also heads the Balasaheb Thackeray Turmeric Research and Training Centre in Hingoli.
"Hingoli, Nanded, Wardha, Parbhani, Yavatmal and Washim are the turmeric belts in Marathwada. These districts produce nearly 25 lakh tonnes of the crop. The land under turmeric cultivation in Hingoli district alone is around 2 lakh hectares," he said.
Prakash Soni, a turmeric trader from Hingoli, said the Iran war has not only completely halted the exports, but the price of the produce in the domestic market has also taken a hit.
"Before the war, turmeric was being sold at Rs 16,500 per quintal. The price has now reached Rs 13,000. The price will drop further if the war continues," he said.
According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India exported turmeric worth USD 341.54 million in 2024-25, with Maharashtra alone accounting for USD 155.35 million.
The produce was exported to Bangladesh, the UAE, the US, Malaysia and Morocco.
