ZHO’s first traditional games championship sees smiles all around

Abu Dhabi: Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) has organised the first traditional games championship for the People of Determination at ZHO’s headquarters, in cooperation with the Family Care Authority (FCA) and Emirates Heritage Club.

The championship targeted ZHO’s students of various categories to shed light on traditional heritage as the primary identity of societies and a link between the past and the present, and to raise the student’s awareness for the preservation of heritage, the revival of traditional games, and the mitigation of the risks of electronic games.

The championship contained a series of traditional games, including the games of “hejla”, “keeram”, “arabana”, “saqqa”, “teila”, “tug of war”, and “duck, duck, goose”.

Furthermore, a “Sana'” corner and a falconry corner were provided by Emirates Heritage Club, along with a “Fawala” corner as a part of the traditional folklore, and a heritage session for handcrafts, provided by FCA.

Abdullah Abdul Ali Al Humaidan, ZHO’s Secretary-General, said that the championship aims to encourage the revival of these games once again, especially in light of the prevalence of electronic games that isolate children from the surrounding community.

These traditional games, which are based on motor and mental skills, improve children’s capabilities, enhance their intelligence, and allow them to engage with their peers.

Al Humaidan stated, “I hope that ZHO would contribute with a simple part in reviving the practice of traditional games by our sons and daughters, particularly the People of Determination, as such games develop their personal and social skills because they easily encourage people to interact, and improve physical health as they involve a large amount of physical activity.”