ABU DHABI // With 31 youngsters singing their hearts out in the finals of the Kids Talent competition, hundreds of people were sure to turn out to listen.
But with the Lebanese singing legend Nancy Ajram among the judges, the audience at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi multiplied into the thousands.
They saw Ibrahim Al Obaidly from Sharjah, the only UAE national to take part, claim the Best Talent award. He said an Arabic song praising the late Sheikh Zayed, the UAE and the rulers of the country.
Nancy Ajram appreciated his voice and encouraged him.
Indian girl Megha Satish, 12, from Sharjah claimed the top prize of Dh10,000 worth of Marina Mall gift vouchers, an iPad Mini, an iPhone and a karaoke system.
Van Wendel Marino from the Philippines took second place and Dh7,500 worth of Marina Mall gift vouchers, a mini laptop and a mobile phone.
Thid place went to Lebanese girl Sarah Khalifa, who won Dh 5,000 worth of Marina Mall gift vouchers, a TV and a home theatre system.
Megha sang an Arabic song of Nancy Ajram, Ya Tab Tab, which won hearts of judges and Nancy herself, who said: “I appreciate your singing talent. You sang it perfectly and I would say better than me.”
Megha, who studies at Delhi Public School in Sharjah, said: “I could not find much time to prepare for the Arabic song. In one day only I prepared myself for the song.”
Sarah also expressed her joy at winning a Kids Talent award.
All 31 children, from the United States, Canada, Lebanon, Palestine, the Philippines, Jordan, Syria and India, mesmerised the audience with their singing and dancing abilities.
The show was making its first appearance in Abu Dhabi. Contestants aged 6 to 15 performed in one of four categories; singing, musical instrument, dance and other talents such as gymnastics, magic and sports tricks.
The star-studded panel of judges included not just Nancy Ajram but Dr Ali Jaber of MBC4’s Arabs Got Talent, the popular Arab TV actor Khaled Najem and Denise Chamassian, owner of KidsTalent shows. The weeklong competition was hosted by the Arab TV actor Moamen Nour.
anwar@thenational.ae
