The 2016 Jubilee Games officially opened on Friday, 23 July before a sold-out audience at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Prince Rahim and His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan attended the Opening Ceremony as special guests. The event marked the start of a week-long celebration of excellence in sport that has drawn some 2,000 athletes of the global Ismaili Muslim community together to compete.
The audience cheered loudly as Team Kenya — host of the inaugural Golden Jubilee Games in 2008 — led the athletes’ procession. Eighteen teams representing over 25 countries paraded into the hall with the presidents of the national Ismaili Councils as flag bearers. The energy in the room highlighted the unity and sportsmanship of the Jubilee Games and the Jamat.
“Dubai and the United Arab Emirates are pleased to be the site of the 2016 Jubilee Games,” said Sheikh Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, as he welcomed the athletes and other participants.
“In organising these games, you have clearly responded to the extraordinary leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan,” said Sheikh Nahyan. “These Jubilee Games speak eloquently to the wisdom, courage, global vision, humanitarian initiatives and moral strength that have marked his 59 years of enlightened guidance and leadership as Imam of the Ismaili community.”
Remarking on the diversity, respect and understanding of the Ismaili community that will be on display during the Jubilee Games, Sheikh Nahyan said “the Games present an example worthy of the world’s attention and are much admired in the United Arab Emirates.”
Prince Rahim expressed gratitude to Sheikh Nahyan for encouraging the Jubilee Games to be held in Dubai, and to the government of the UAE for their support of the event. He congratulated the athletes and organisers “for their collective effort to promote fitness and camaraderie through sports.”
“I can think of no better way than this and of no better place than Dubai to promote the notion of bringing young minds from diverse backgrounds and different environments together in the spirit of friendship and peace,” said Prince Rahim. He conveyed “warmest greetings” on behalf of Mawlana Hazar Imam “to His Highness Sheikh Nahyan and to the Government of the UAE, and to all who have enabled these games to take place.”
Together, Prince Rahim and Sheikh Nahyan completed the lighting of the Jubilee Games Fanous, capping a global relay that saw fawanees travel throughout the countries of the world where the Jamat is established.
In his welcome address, Amiruddin Thanawalla, President of the Ismaili Council for the UAE urged athletes to remember their mothers, fathers and the community, who have supported their ambitions in sport and pushed them to succeed over the years.
“Think about them all and consider them, as they’re all part of a legacy you write here this week,” he said. “Ask yourself — what will be yours?”
The athletes’ pledge was taken by Team UAE athlete Ali Tamer on behalf of all competitors, and Nizar Matani took an oath on behalf of those officiating the Jubilee Games.
As master of ceremonies, Farah Nasser led the audience through a packed three-hour programme that included an array of dances and other performances by talented Ismailis from around the world. This included a medley of dances from three traditions of the world: South Asian, Tajik, and Arab. Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, Farah Mitha, and Raj Pandit joined the dancers in a lively rendition of the 2016 Jubilee Games theme song.
Before attending the Opening Ceremony, Prince Rahim had spent much of the day taking in matches and visiting the Global Village. As he departed the Dubai World Trade Centre he told TheIsmaili that he “was delighted to have been able to see so many of our athletes and to watch some of them in action.”
“I could feel the energy and excitement in the Jamat,” said Prince Rahim. “Youth from all corners of the globe coming together, sharing their talent and enthusiasm.”
“I'm sure it's going to be an amazing week.”
