Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket: Pakistani who won Dh15 million grand prize says ‘never give up’

Shahed Mahmood will split the funds equally with his friend, who purchased the ticket with him

Shahed Mahmood won Dh15 million from Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket draw on Wednesday. Photo: Mr Mahmood

A Pakistani national who won Dh15 million in the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket draw says the money will help him to build a better future for his family.

The draw’s organisers announced Shahed Mahmood as the latest winner of "The Fantastic 15 Million" on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old, who works for a glass installation company in the capital, bought the ticket with a friend and will split the winnings with him equally.

Mr Mahmood moved to the UAE in 2007 and earns about Dh6,000 a month. He sends most of his salary back to Kashmir to support his four children and wife.

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  UAE residents who struck lucky with Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket draw attended a gala dinner. Organisers of the draw celebrated the winners' good luck at the Alexandra Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina. All photos by Leslie Pableo / The National

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  Richard Isaac and Bouchra Yamani, the two presenters who pick out the raffle tickets and call the winners, interacted with the winners. Some of attendees had won jackpots of between Dh1 million to Dh15 million, while others won Dh90,000

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  'The National' spoke to winners about how they have spent their grand prize. Shivamurthy Gali Krishnappa won Dh12 million last month. He said he wants to save for his children's future. For now, he is still working as a mechanical engineer for a stainless steel production company

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  Shahed Ahmed Moulvifaiz, a Bangladeshi car garage owner in Al Ain, won Dh10 million less than a week ago. He wants to bring his family to the UAE, expand his business and spend on his youngest son's education

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  Jayaprakash Mariyan Philip had won the Dh1 million prize with nine other people. The funds were split equally, leaving him with Dh100,000. He said he has paid off part of his bank loans

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  Zaheenn Kausar was visiting her husband in Abu Dhabi from Pakistan, when he bought a ticket under her name. She proved lucky for her family after winning Dh90,000. She wants to pay for her daughter's university tuition and buy a car for herself

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  Before the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 5,000 people would gather during a live event in Abu Dhabi to watch the draw take place. Since 2020, the draw streams live on social media channels, bringing in even larger crowds

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  Many people buy multiple tickets together and then split the prize equally. There are also those who win after buying a ticket alone, allowing them to keep the entire jackpot

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  The Abu Dhabi Big Draw has been changing lives since 1992

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  The ticket for the grand prize costs Dh500

“I still can’t believe that I’m a millionaire. It’s going to change our lives and help create a better future for me and my family,” he said.

“This really shows that you shouldn’t give up on your dreams and that you should keep trying. I’m really still in shock, but also feeling excited about the future.”

Mr Mahmood said he has not made any concrete plans on how he will spend the money, but hopes to save for his children’s education.

“I won the money last night and I’m still processing the news, so I don’t know what I’m going to do with the money. It’s a big amount and we’re going to be smart about how to spend or invest it,” he said.

This month, the Big Ticket draw boasts a Dh10 million grand prize and Dh1 million second prize.

Big Ticket has been in operation since 1992 and has grown in popularity since.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 5,000 people would gather during a live event in Abu Dhabi to watch the draw take place. It is now streamed live on social media channels, attracting an even bigger audience.