A Dubai office assistant blessed with a golden voice has scooped top spot in a UAE talent competition for a second time.
Singer Mustakin Sheikh's double delight in the annual Camp Ka Champ event could even put him in line for another title - the best brother in the emirate.
For the talented 30-year-old has generously decided to use his half of the winnings - Dh35,000 worth of gold - to fund a dream wedding for his sister.
It is a case of lightning really does strike twice, as the generous sibling also paid for his eldest sister's nuptials through his first jackpot win in 2015.
Mr Sheikh was among the winners at an event which has become famous for offering construction workers an opportunity to make their dreams come true.
“This will make life better for my family in India,” said Mr Sheikh.
“We were poor but this will change that. It also means I will be able to help my sister to get married.”
The Indian singer shared the prize along with his onstage partner, Swaim Mitu, after thrilling the judges and the 3,000-strong audience, who were bused in from across the UAE, at a labour camp in the Al Quoz region.
The 30-year-old said he was completely shocked to have been named as a winner, even if the happy feeling was familiar.
“Now I am going to use my winnings towards paying for my second sister’s wedding,” he said.
“I have worked hard towards this and this money means a lot to me.
“I would not have managed to make this money even if I was saving hard for two or three years so this is huge for me.”
When he was first successful in 2015 it was as a solo singer, which meant he had all the Dh35,000 prize to himself.
“I am the eldest in my family,” he said.
“My brother and I are the main breadwinners in the house and my younger sisters and parents rely on us as they are not working anymore.”
This was not the first time Mr Sheikh had reason to celebrate recently.
“I got married a month ago,” he said.
“By winning Camp Ka Champ I have really moved forward.”
Also among the winners was Jaspreet Singh, who won the award for solo singing.
Another newly-wed, he took home the first prize of Dh7,000 in his category.
“I am going to use this money towards my music career,” said the 29-year-old Indian.
“I was the second runner-up in Camp Ka Champ last year as well so it makes sense.
“Pray for me that I invest this money wisely into my music career.”
This year’s event was the 13th consecutive year the event has taken place in Dubai.
More than 4,000 singers from labour camps in the UAE auditioned for this year’s competition.
“The journey of hosting Camp Ka Champ for blue collared workers since 2007 is a precious one and very close to our hearts,” said Rupa Vinod, managing director of event organiser Right Track Advertising.
“It is all about participation, engagement, entertainment, camaraderie and an occasion everyone eagerly looks forward to.”
The competition played a key role in improving the lives of labour camp workers in the country, said Salma Massoud from sponsors Western Union.
“Most migrants in the country are away from their families and work hard to support loved ones back home,” she said.
“They play a fundamental role in the lives of their families and communities, paying for things like education, healthcare, food, rent and other basic needs.
“Through Camp Ka Champ, we hope to give them an opportunity to express their passion, live their dreams and inspire others.”
