Players in action during a basketball match at the third Labour Sports Tournament.

In its second week on Friday, the third Labour Sports Tournament, organised by the Labour Standards Development Authority in Sharjah, witnessed a wide turnout from the public, especially workers, who flocked to the Sharjah National Park, opposite Sharjah International Airport, to watch their teams competing.

The tournament continues every Friday from now until 27 March 2020, from 7 in the morning until 5:30 pm.

Salem Youssef Al Qaseer, Chairman of the Labour Standards Development Authority in Sharjah said: “The authority holds this tournament for the third year in a row, in line with the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to provide an ideal work environment.”

He added: “Although it is in its third edition, the tournament has managed to establish a strong fan base, indicating the positive impact it has on the employers and workers alike.”

Qaseer said: “We have sought in the third edition to raise the level of competition among teams, and to provide an opportunity for all government institutions and private companies, to participate in its activities, to enhance transparency, strong ties and cooperation between workers and employers, strengthening their human relations, and building bridges of trust Among them.”

That’s what sport has always achieved in societies, he added. The tournament has also succeeded through its various activities in spreading positivity, happiness and healthy life among workers, in addition to promoting coexistence between them.

The second week of the tournament witnessed 12 football matches, among teams representing the public and private sectors, namely: In the first pitch each of: Al Furat Group, Fast Contracting, United Arab Bank, Khoury Company, Falcon Pak, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah Cement, Al Hamriya Municipality, Smart Touch, National Paints, Identity and Nationality, and ADNOC B.

On the second pitch: Pro Smart, Sharjah Civil Defense, Sharjah Municipality A, European Union for Contracting, Sharjah Police, Al Hijal Insurance, Social Services Department, Sharjah Municipality B, Fast B, Lacnor Oasis, Bee’a, Shipping and Unloading.

Seven cricket matches were played in the second week, among SAS Avengers, United Arab Bank, Bangladesh Brothers, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah TV, Falcon Pack, Al Bataya, Dest & Village, Heat Shield, Khoury, Master Two and Hamriyah Municipality.

In the hockey matches, 16 teams competed. These were the Accepeters, Lacnor, Axilators, Sharjah Green tigers, Sharjah Blue Tigers, Sharjah Tigers Indian Black, Sharjah Municipality, Falcons Red, Falcons Green, Fajr al Madina, and the Sharjah Tigers Indian Blue, UIHC, Dada Bhaie, DXB Republican, Pad and Anglo Indian.