ABU DHABI // Senaat were crowned champions of the second Government Departments Ramadan Cup sevens indoor football tournament on Monday evening after edging defending champions Adnoc 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.
The final finished 0-0 in regulation time at Zayed Sports City’s IPIC Arena before Senaat, the general holding corporation, held their nerve in the shoot-out.
Abu Dhabi Media, the company that publishes The National, had to settle for third place, the same position they finished in the inaugural tournament last year, after a 3-2 triumph over Abu Dhabi Sports Council in a play-off.
Saad Al Hadrami, the Senaat captain, said his team knew it would be tough to get their hands on the trophy.
“We experienced how hard it was to win this title last year. So we came better prepared. It was still very hard but we managed to do it this time,” he said.
Twenty two teams from various Abu Dhabi Government departments took part this year, allowing the teams not only to compete for bragging rights but to network.
“The competition was great but the feature of this event is the opportunity for networking among the employees in the government departments,” said Mohammed Al Yammahi, a midfielder for Abu Dhabi Media.
“Through this tournament we have come to know a lot of people and created contacts. When you know someone by face it makes it so easy to work between various sectors in the government departments.”
apasella@thenational.ae
