American University in Dubai (AUD) Dubai - Arab Today The American University in Dubai (AUD) organised its third annual School Sports Challenge (AUD SSC), under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympics Committee in the UAE; and sponsored by Choueiri Group. The multisport festival took place on Friday; February 21st, 2014, featuring boys and girls' school teams and individual athletes from over 20 different high schools in the UAE, who competed in soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, cross-country and tug of war. During the event, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum, former gold Olympic medal winner, honored the university and toured the sports facilities during the games, encouraging the student athletes. He then presented AUD with an Olympic medal as he expressed: "I wish this day would never end, and I wish everyday was similar to it and full of sports activities. Our schools and universities should collaborate more to organize such sports events that create young heroes with hopes of reaching the Olympic Dream for our Nation. The road to that Olympic Dream is not paved with a red carpet, but with thorns, perseverance and patience." SAIS Sharjah School was crowned Champion of the AUDSSC 2014 edition and took home the H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Athletic Scholarship offered by AUD. "In staying consistent with our continuous commitment to support and reward superior athletic performance in our community, The American University in Dubai is pleased to assist in both the athletic and academic development of students," explains Tala Makhlouf, AUD Directors of Admissions. Encouraging interaction amongst students from various schools, backgrounds and communities is the main objective of this sports day. "The AUD School Sports Challenge is an exciting experience for school students to get acquainted with AUD's campus life and state-of-the-art sports facilities. AUD SSC has now become an annual celebration for UAE student athletes," comments Miso Pancetovic, AUD Athletics Director. Source: WAM