Camp Ka Champ starts auditions for eighth edition

An estimated 3,000 people in labour camps across the UAE are expected to take part in the three-month-long Pop Idol-stlye competition.

Suraj Subba from Nepal sings during the first auditions at a labour camp in Dubai for last year’s Camp Ka Champ contest. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // A contest to find the latest singing sensation in a Pop Idol-style competition for on Tuesday.

Now in its eighth year, the Western Union Camp Ka Champ competition has been extended to include more contestants from more camps across the country.

“Western Union Camp Ka Champ is a celebration of hidden talent,” said Marc Aubry, vice president marketing for the Middle East region at Western Union.

“The contest has entertained many thousands of Asian expatriates in the UAE over the last seven years. It’s a moment of fun and an opportunity to encourage the stars of tomorrow.”

This year the competition has been expanded from 58 auditions in 70 camps to 80 auditions in 100 camps.

An estimated 3,000 people are expected to take part in the three-month-long competition.

Auditions will be held every night at labour camps in Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah until August 30. The quarter-finals will take place next month and the finals in October.

This year the first prize has been increased, from Dh15,000 to Dh20,000 in Western Union vouchers, along with a variety of gifts for successful participants.

An English song category has now been added alongside the traditional Bollywood and Hindi sections. Special segments for musical instruments, mimicry, dance and poetry have also been added.

For more details visit www.facebook.com/campkachamp