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The cup champions, SEHA, earlier defeated tournament favourites, Mubadala by four goals to one in an action-packed semi-final.
Mubadala's Khalid Rashidi ensured that his team didn't go empty handed. Rashidi was named as the event's top striker with the highest number of goals. Meanwhile, SEHA's Sharif Baiyoomi emerged as the tournaments' finest goalkeeper.
The evening kicked-off with an exhibition match that saw the under-13 champions of Al Jazeera Football Academy playing against each other.
The four-day event drew total crowds of 1,000-plus to support the teams, and the message to the nation that exercise can help prevent Diabetes.
Cup presented by dignitaries; SEHA becomes ICLDC's first Diabetes Ambassador
Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, Director of the Secretary General's Office, GCSE joined ICLDC's Dr Maha Taysir Barakat in presenting the winners' cup and medals. Mr Al Dhaheri is also an ICLDC board member.
SEHA, the tournament champions, not only walked away with the winners' trophy, but they led the way for the UAE's corporate community to jump on board in the campaign against Diabetes. SEHA are named as Brand Ambassador of the 'DIABETES. KNOWLEDGE. ACTION.' public health awareness initiative.
"We were very excited to be involved in an event that supports the cause of Diabetes and its greater message to society,"
said Mohammed Ali Ntaefeh, captain of SEHA's winning team.
"Of course, to win the tournament is a double bonus for us, but the real prize is to be named as the first Diabetes corporate ambassador. We really look forward to working with ICLDC to spread the message further, and encourage our tournament opponents, and other corporations, to also jump on-board as ambassadors," he added.
SEHA's first key role as Diabetes ambassador is the upcoming Walk UAE 2008 scheduled for November 14 2008. In its second year, the walkathon is targeting crowds of 10,000 to further spread awareness and education about Diabetes and its complications throughout the UAE and Middle East.
UAE must exercise to kick Diabetes, says Dr Maha
The UAE has the second highest prevalence of Diabetes in the world with the figures expected to double by year 2025. It is estimated that 19.5% of the UAE's population is living with Diabetes.
According to Dr Maha, a sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits are cited as the main causes of the increasing prevalence of type 2 Diabetes in the UAE.
She said that ICLDC's research suggests clearly that the epidemic of type 2 Diabetes is associated with decreasing levels of activity and an increasing prevalence of obesity.
"Exercise is as a vital component in the prevention, as well as the management, of type 2 Diabetes," she said. Dr Maha is the Consultant Endocrinologist and Medical & Research Director at the Centre.
I PLAY SPORTS is the fifth pillar of 'DIABETES. KNOWLEDGE. ACTION.', the Centre's award-winning, public health awareness initiative, under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, and in partnership with Emirates Foundation.
Led by General Secretariat of the Executive Council (GSEC) in 2008, ICLDC's I PLAY SPORTS Ramadan Football Tournament has already been earmarked to become an annual event.
Posted by Siba Sami Ammari
