German Zunica and Jose Juan Matea win NAS Padel Men’s Open crown

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - May 22, 2019:   Dubai Municipality defeated a resurgent Dubai Public Prosecution 59-53 to retain their NAS Wheelchair Basketball crown at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex on Tuesday night.

The Municipality men, who defeated the same opponents 63-46 to win the title 12 months ago, seemed headed for another facile win as they entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable 52-38 lead. However, Dubai Public Prosecution, who had lost the final in the past three seasons, staged a spirited rally and closed the gap, but eventually finished short.

The runners-up, however, had the consolation of seeing their star Salah Ahmed retain the top-scorer award. Mohammed Fadhil Al Hameli, Chairman of the UAE Paralympics Committee and a Board Member of the International Paralympic Committee, presented the awards in the presence of Hassan Al Mazrouei, Director of NAS Sports Tournament.

“I am really proud of how we played as a team right through the tournament,” said Dubai Public Prosecution’s Cameron Swan, a native of Birmingham in England who was playing in the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament for the second year.

“Tonight, we did not get the result we wanted in the final and that is really disappointing, but we should be proud of the way we have played. I believe we are getting close and I am looking forward to coming back next year and hopefully return with the gold medal 12 months from now.”

Zunica, Matea triumph

German Zunica and Jose Juan Matea defeated Javier Lopez Garcia and Sandy Farquharson 6-4, 6-2 to clinch the Men’s Open crown at the NAS Padel Championship, while Mohammed Al Janahi and Saeed Al Marri beat Abdulla Ahli and Mohammed Ahli 6-2, 6-3 for the title in the UAE Nationals category.
Carolina Gallo and Marta Apraiz had earlier defeated Retha Mcfarlane and Bernadette Helena 6-1, 6-3 for the Women’s Open title, while Uncle Saeed won the Team title. 

Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of UAE Padel Association, presented the winners with their medals, in the presence of Khalifa Yousuf Al Khoury, First Vice President of the UAE Padel Association, and Hassan Al Mazrouei.

“I am really happy because this year we have won the men’s open and team titles,” said German Zunica. “I thank His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, for this tournament and Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of UAE Padel Association, for all his support. 

“For me, this tournament is amazing. The facilities here at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex are fantastic. This is an amazing place and I am looking forward to the next year.”

MGM, DHL in final

Ameer Hamza’s sensational knock of 95 guided MGM Cricket Club Sharjah past Titans Cricket Club and into the final of the NAS Cricket T10 Tournament, where they will meet DHL for the title.

Hamza played a virtual lone hand as MGM posted 148 for 4 on the board, with the next-best score of the innings being Salim Qudoos’ unbeaten 16. Coming in at number four, he scored his 95 runs off just 25 balls, smashing 7 fours and 10 sixes. Hamza and Qudoos added 88 runs for the fourth wicket off a mere 23 balls, and Qudoos’ contribution in the partnership was 12.

Shell-shocked following Hamza’s blitzkrieg, Titans made a poor start, losing their top three for 18, and eventually finished with 98 for 8.

In the other semi-final, DHL scored 127 for 7 batting first and then managed to restrict Salman Cool Boys to 122 for 8, thanks to a great bowling effort led by man of the match Ali Mubarak (2-15), who gave just five runs and took two wickets in the 9th over, and Ryan D’Souza (2-19), who picked up a wicket with the first delivery of the innings.

RESULTS

NAS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
Final: Dubai Municipality beat Dubai Public Prosecution 59-53.

NAS FUTSAL FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING DISABILITIES
Final: Abu Dhabi beat Dubai 7-3.

PADEL TENNIS

Men’s Open Final: German Zunica and Jose Juan Matea beat Javier Lopez Garcia and Sandy Farquharson 6-4, 6-2. Third place: Guillermo Villafane and Amilio Misas beat Martin Noschese and Simon Rahman 6-2, 7-6.

UAE Nationals Final: Mohammed Al Janahi and Saeed Al Marri beat Abdulla Ahli and Mohammed Ahli 6-2, 6-3. Third Place: Saeed Al Maktoum and Omar Al Marzooqi beat Al Ali Marzouqi and Mohammed Al Nuaimi 6-2, 6-3.

NAS CRICKET (Semi-finals)

MGM Cricket Club Sharjah 148 for 4 (A Hamza 95, S Qudoos not out 16; S Khalid 2-29) vs Titans Cricket Club 98 for 8 (AG Sadiq 32, A Afridi 25; S Gull 2-14). MGM win by 50 runs. Man of the Match: A Hamza
DHL 127 for 7 (S Khalil 27, K Sajjad 36, G Rahman 29; U Maqsood 2-33, L Afridi 2-21) vs Salman Cool Boys 122 for 8 (K Mahmood 34, B Sohail 27, MQ Afridi 32; R D’Souza 2-19, A Mubarak 2-15). DHL win by 5 runs. Man of the Match: A Mubarak.