Quiz wizards steal the show

Whether you are a Poker maestro, or a game of snap is more your thing, there’s probably one question that will leave you scratching your head.

In a pack of cards, which is the only king without a moustache? Puzzled? So were over 200 quiz enthusiasts who battled it out at Emax Puzzle 2012.

Last Thursday and Friday, teams of two from schools, colleges and corporate outfits from across the UAE took part in the quiz, which aimed to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of students and professionals alike. Day one saw students from various schools, couple up and compete for the coveted title of ‘Quizzing Wizard of the UAE’.

The competition was divided into grades 6 to 8 and grades 9 to 13. As the competition mounted, the atmosphere grew electric but two students managed to keep their nerves at bay. Vijay Vivekanand and Akash Kunnath from Our Own High School, Al Warqa’a, wiped the floor clean and reigned victorious in the grade 6 to 8 category.

But the biggest shock of the first day was the crowning of the sole grade 9 to 13 winner. Battling it out on his own, Manas George from The Indian High School, lost his partner at the last minute due to illness, but was still able to take the title, raising jubilation amongst fellow students and teachers. Prizes for the student winners included a scholarship from Manipal University, a trophy and medallion and a selection of gift hampers.

Day two saw contestants being tested on business trivia, people and products.

Students Ashish Ghatke and Hari Babu from S P Jain School of Global Management won the overall college title, while Content Syndicate proved to be the corporate quiz giants with team players, Anshuman Kishore and Maddy Reddy, picking up the first prize. The winners also got the chance to participate in a live interview on Radio Spice.

Reena Banerjee, Founder and Idea Director at Big Idea which hosted the event, said the idea behind the quiz was to provide a platform to those who “dream, dare and do”. “The Festival (brought together) the smartest brains from corporates, colleges and schools across the UAE, under one umbrella.”

And for those of you still hunting down that pack of cards in search of the answer, let us put you out of your misery: King of Hearts.

news@khaleejtimes.com