Perfect Score Ignites Opening of “Al Meydan”
Mohammed Nasser Al Ali and Maktoum bin Taraf Secure the First Qualification Spots
Nataly Ovadisian: Al Meydan’s Strength Lies in Its Ability to Evolve Without Losing Its Authenticity
Dubai – October 2026:
Al Meydan Fort in Al Marmoom opened its new season with a remarkable achievement, as Mohammed Nasser Al Ali of Dubai secured a perfect score across all six challenges in the opening episode of the 22nd season of “Al Meydan”, marking a powerful start to the 26th edition of the Fazza Championship for Youlah.
Organised by the Fazza Championships Department at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, the opening episode unfolded in an atmosphere of excitement before an enthusiastic audience that engaged with competitions combining Youlah skills with Emirati heritage arts and traditional sports.
The first episode saw Mohammed Nasser Al Ali and Maktoum Mohammed bin Taraf Al Mansouri, both from Dubai, secure qualification after competing against Abdullah Faisal Al Kaabi from Sharjah and Khaled Hamad Al Ahbabi from Al Ain.
The opening round offered an early indication of the level of competition expected among the 16 Youlah participants vying for the championship title this season.
The season also began with a distinctive new visual identity and competitive format. Al Meydan Fort welcomed audiences with a redesigned setting inspired by the history of the Fazza Championship for Youlah and its heritage challenges, alongside elements of traditional Emirati architecture.
The design brings together the memory of the venue with the traditional sports and arts celebrated throughout the programme.
Six Skills… One Test
The opening episode featured six challenges: Youlah, poetry recitation, swimming, shooting, Shad Al Shidad, and Zamat Hein.
Together, the challenges form an integrated competitive format that tests participants across different disciplines and requires a combination of physical ability, concentration, quick response and knowledge of traditional practices.
Mohammed Nasser Al Ali delivered the standout performance of the episode, successfully completing all six challenges and achieving a perfect score of 100 points.
His performance reflected a high level of preparation, versatility and an ability to adapt to the different demands of each competition while maintaining his lead through to the end of the episode.
Maktoum Mohammed bin Taraf Al Mansouri secured the second qualification spot with 45 points, advancing alongside Al Ali following a competitive episode that brought together four talents who had reached this stage after the qualifying rounds.
The diversity of the challenges is a defining feature of the championship, taking participants beyond mastery of Youlah and testing them in a range of skills rooted in the Emirati environment. This strengthens practical knowledge of folk heritage while giving the competition multiple sporting and cultural dimensions.
“Seven Melodies”… The Rhythm of Al Meydan
To the music of the new season’s song, “Seven Melodies”, the participants competed in the Youlah challenge, judged by Khalifa bin Sabeen.
The song brought an added artistic dimension to the performances, heightening both the excitement of the competition and audience engagement.
The song features lyrics by H.E. Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, vocals by Emirati artist Mehad Hamad, and a composition by Fayez Al Saeed, known as the “Ambassador of Melodies”.
The work adds a new entry to the artistic legacy of the Fazza Championship for Youlah, combining the distinct character of Emirati lyrics with the rhythms traditionally associated with this folk art, while giving the season its own distinctive musical identity.
Poetry in the Balance of Performance
The poetry recitation challenge this season features poet Khamis bin Bleisha Al Ketbi as a member of its judging panel.
He evaluates participants in a challenge that requires accurate delivery, command of the text and strong performance, reflecting the important place of Nabati poetry among the cultural elements celebrated by the championship.
Skill and Precision
In the Shad Al Shidad challenge, Hamad bin Thabib Al Shamsi serves as judge in a competition designed to test participants’ skill in handling camel equipment and their ability to assemble the traditional shidad according to established practices, with both accuracy and speed taken into account.
The challenge represents one of the championship’s distinctive elements because of its direct connection to the skills and practical knowledge of desert communities — traditions that “Al Meydan” seeks to highlight and introduce to younger generations.
An Experience That Makes the Difference
Marking the launch of the new season, Nataly Joseph Ovadisian, Director of Radio, Media and Corporate Communications and Chairperson of the Championship Organising Committee at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, said the championship has reached a level of organisational and technical maturity that enables it to continue evolving without moving away from the foundations on which it was established.
She noted that the 26th edition reflects more than a quarter-century of accumulated experience that has contributed to consolidating the status of Youlah and strengthening its presence among younger generations.
Ovadisian said: “We view every season as an opportunity to add something meaningful to the Al Meydan experience, whether in terms of the competitions, the content or audience engagement. What distinguishes the championship today is its ability to preserve the art of Youlah while developing the way it is presented, giving participants greater scope to demonstrate their abilities and allowing audiences to discover multiple aspects of Emirati heritage.”
She added: “Reaching this stage represents the result of considerable effort by the participants throughout the qualifiers and preparations. We therefore strive to provide a competitive environment based on clear criteria and equal opportunities, allowing every participant the chance to deliver his best performance.”
“The opening episode offered an encouraging indication of the level of preparation, particularly with the achievement of a perfect score across all six challenges. This reflects the importance of comprehensive preparation and versatility. We look forward to a season in which the level of competition rises with every episode and where performance, commitment and excellence remain decisive factors on the path to the title.”
Media Coverage
The opening episode was presented by Rashid Hareb Al Khasouni, Director of the Fazza Championships Department at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center.
It was broadcast live on Sama Dubai TV, on Al Oula Radio 107.4 FM, and through the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center’s YouTube channel.
Khaled Mohammed Brings the Evening to Life
The opening episode was further enriched by the appearance of Emirati singer Khaled Mohammed, one of the distinctive voices on the local music scene.
He performed “Hala Belli Yerhab Bi”, adding an artistic dimension to the evening that was warmly received by the audience at Al Meydan Fort.
With the conclusion of the first episode and the confirmation of the first two qualification spots, competition continues among the remaining Youlah participants in a journey that demands consistent performance and the ability to excel across multiple challenges on the road to the decisive stages of the 26th Fazza Championship for Youlah.