DUBAI, April 26: Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director of Dubai Naturalization Department (DNRD), inaugurated the 'Mansour Hamad Al Shamsi Football Tournament' for the DNRD employees on Friday evening at Al Shabab Al Arabi Club in Dubai. The tournament is named after the employee known for his passion for football who passed away on his way to attend a football match between UAE and Oman.

The ceremony was also attended by Brigadier Obaid Bin Suroor, Deputy Director of DNRD, many other senior officials, DNRD employees and the public. At the opening, Major General Al Marri, Director of DNRD started his speech by saying: "We are all gathered here to pay tribute to one of our special employees who passed away in a car accident to attend the football match between UAE and Oman and who will be remembered for being one of our best employees at DNRD and his passion for the football." Al Marri thanked the organizing committee for its efforts in successfully launching the tournament and appreciated the cooperation DNRD received for such a noble initiative.

Thirteen teams representing various departments of DNRD are playing against each other in the tournament. The teams include the Airport Teams (1-2), Investigation Teams (A&B), External Branches Team, IT Team, the Organizational Office Team, Sea Ports Team, Residency Team, Administration Affairs Team, Naturalization and Personal Status Team and Entry Permits Team.

One of the highlights of the event is the attendance of Ismail Mattar who had scored the winning goal at the UAE vs. Oman match in 2007 together with the UAE goal keeper, Majed Nasser and Rashed Al Amiri, Head of Dubai TV Sports Channel, they all came to pay tribute to their deceased fan.

The tournament jointly sponsored by Datel Company, Leader Sport Company, Empost, and Lama Desert Tourism & Cargo L.L.C. will conclude on May 9 at Al Ma'aref School.

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For more information, please contact the media centre at the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department,
Phone: 04-3984560,
fax: 04-3981113,
email: media@dnrd.ae

Susan Sholkami
Weber Shandwick Mena,
phone: 04-3210077,
fax: 04-3211711,
email : susan.sholkami@ws-mena.com

Noha Habib,
email: noha.habib@ws-mena.com

© Press Release 2008