DOHA: Female speakers came on top at the 5th IBQ Communicators Awards after the stiff competition among 12 finalists unleashing their public speaking talents and skills for the coveted titles in Humorous Speech and International Speech categories held at the Ramada Hotel yesterday.
For the first time, all three winners of the International Speech category were women with Sara Tariq Siddique from Pakistan in first place, Mou Bera from India was runner up, and Sweta Bharadwaj from India in third place. Surendra Kumar from India took the top prize in the Humorous category, with Yasir Nainar also from India in second place, and Sara Tariq Siddique again in third place.
The contestants battled it out with seven-minute time limits apiece in front of a panel of judges comprising experts from Qatar University, experienced toastmasters as well as a representative from IBQ who awarded the three finalists in each category.
The IBQ Communicator Awards is organised by the ICC-ONE Toastmasters Club under the patronage of IBQ to encourage and promote communication and leadership skills in the local community.
The awards were open to all residents aged 18 years. Preliminary rounds kicked off in October this year with over 50 participants. George Nasra, Managing Director of IBQ said the IBQ Communicators Awards has proved its significance year on year in promoting one of the most important interpersonal and leadership skills. He added the ongoing growth of the competition is evident in the high calibre of the finalists.
M I Farid, Founder President of the ICC-ONE Toastmasters, said the IBQ Communicators Awards accentuate the existing communications talent in Qatar. "Interpersonal and communications skills are factors for success throughout the multitude of cultures that surround the cosmopolitan city of Doha," he said.
He pointed out talent in good public speaking is of great significance in one's personal and professional life.
The ICC-ONE Toastmasters is a member of the renowned and prestigious Toastmasters International.
Their objective is to organise member clubs to provide a mutual supportive learning environment where every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, and in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.
The Toastmasters run regular meetings twice a month, as well as conducting various Speech craft and Youth Leadership programs in line with Toastmasters International guidelines.
© The Peninsula 2010
