In what has now become an eagerly awaited annual event, the 4th 'Golftainer Sharjah Classic' golf day was held on Sunday 24 January 2009 at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club (SGSC). This excellent sporting get together was combined with a worthy cause, as Gulftainer linked its annual golf day with the opportunity to contribute to Haiti relief fund efforts.

The event witnessed a good turnout from enthusiastic golfers from - predominantly - the group's shipping line customers, who enjoyed a day of sport and camaraderie at one of the Emirate's premier golf courses.

Golftainer Sharjah Classic

In perfect weather and on roughs, greens and fairways the golfers birdied and bogeyed their way around the problems posed by the challenging grass course with a pragmatic combination of seriousness and levity.

These "out of the office experiences" (as described by one participant) are always noteworthy for the great spirit in which all the matches are played, and the enjoyment derived by all participants from a morning 'out on the greens', was very evident.

At the awards ceremony and lunch held in SGSC's splendid clubhouse facilities later in the day, Gulftainer Group Commercial Manager Keith Nuttall thanked the weary yet relaxed competitors for their participation and presented prizes in various categories.

The runner-up was Captain Leslie Reis of OEL, while the deserved overall winner was Mr Han-il Bae of Hyundai. Simon Aynesley of CMA-CGM won 'longest drive' and the pin point accuracy of Darren D'Cruze won him the prize for 'Nearest the Pin'.

Tyre Management & Safety Workshop

Gulftainer takes training seriously - in all locations and for all employees - to ensure that staff are well equipped to deal with the demands of their jobs and to maintain a safety culture.

The operations and engineering departments spend much time and effort on these matters and a recent example was the 'Tyre Management & Safety Workshop' held in Sharjah in co-operation with Michelin.

Over 20 people from SCT attended, learning to recognize the basics of tyre construction, markings and codes, storage, pressures, maintenance, damage and how to prevent it.

With such an enormous dependence in SCT and other facilities on wheeled vehicles, good tyre maintenance is vital for efficiency and safety - and all the participants felt this seminar was time well spent.

A tenacious Bibek Shrestha triumphed in the final of the KCT Table Tennis Tournament held on 7 March in Khorfakkan, defeating Dominic Chou 3 - 2 in a fiercely contested match. Third place was snapped up by Eric Abatayo with a 2 - 0 win over Niroj Malakar.

KCT Training & Safety Officers cum 'sports correspondents', Nigel Hope and Stephen Moss reported from the East Coast on the success of the recent event.

"Over 20 employees from KCT took part in the one week competition" said Nigel Hope. "The matches were best of three games, with the final decided over the best of five games. On the final night the sponsors Albert Abela Co. and local management increased the prize fund ensuring that everyone who participated left with a smile and a souvenir from the competition".

Tournament Winners

Stephen Moss reported on the final match between competition rivals Bibek and Dominic. "It was a very close game with a nail biting finish. Points see-sawed between the players and at 2 games all it was really anyone's match. Bibek eventually hit the winning shot securing his place as victor, much to the delight of the crowd".

"The interest in the event has been staggering" Stephen continued. "A number of the competitors and other employees have been enquiring about the date of the next tournament and I'm sure we will get an even bigger turn out in the future".

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