Indian roommates win our Fifa World Cup prediction competition

Ismail Palappadam, 30, a photographer, and Mohammed Basheer, 37, a delivery driver, put in a joint entry to this newspaper’s Fifa World Cup competition, which asked readers to make correct predictions of results.

Mohammed Al Otaiba, Editor-in-Chief of The National, presents Mohammed Basheer, centre, and Ismail Palappadam with the keys to a Hyundai Genesis car. The roommates were the winners of this newspaper’sShow more

ABU DHABI // Two men who live in Al Ain are the proud owners of a new Hyundai Genesis car – thanks to the The National.

Indian roommates Ismail Palappadam, 30, a photographer, and Mohammed Basheer, 37, a delivery driver, won this newspaper's Fifa World Cup competition, which asked readers to make correct predictions of results.

On Tuesday, Mohammed Al Otaiba, the Editor-in-Chief of The National, handed them the keys to their luxury car at the offices of Abu Dhabi Media, which publishes The National.

Mr Palappadam said he could not believe it when he heard he had won the competition.

"I was at work when I got the call from The National and I felt very excited and happy that I had won. I thanked God," he said.

Both men are keen readers of The National, following the newspaper online. "We are huge fans of sports, particularly football, and we follow the sports news," said Mr Basheer.

The two men run a photography studio in Al Ain and might sell the car to invest the money in their business.

Mr Basheer was considering using some of the money to bring his wife and three children to the UAE from their home in Kerala.

"My family are going to join me here soon and I am very happy about that. I will also keep some of the money for my children's education," he said. "We are very grateful to The National for the opportunity to win the competition and this is sure to help us a lot. We have not told our families yet – we want to give them a surprise."