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THE CEREBRAL GYMNASTS

It is indeed a proud moment for the UCMAS Centre, UAE as the team has won accolades for their performance. They have lived up to expectations; all 8 participants from the UAE have won at the 5th International Abacus Mental Arithmetic Competition ...

held on 12th December 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Teams from 28 countries participated in this competition. In their very first appearance at the competition they have achieved the unbelievable, all members of a participating team have won in their respective levels. This is a record in itself as in the past 5 years no other team has had the distinction of each and every contestant being a winner. The icing on the cake is that Jason Cardozo, one of the team members, has won the Championship in the Basic Level (Aged 9 and above). An amazing feat as Jason is the first non-Malaysian to have won at the International competition since its inception.

City Times was present at the function organised to honour the winners. Proud parents revelled in their offspring's achievement giving all credit to the personal interest taken by the course instructors. As Mr and Mrs Rajasekharan whose two kids have come back as winners opined, "Talent in a child has to be spotted and nurtured and this is where the course instructors have played a major role. They identified our kids, encouraged them, gave them the confidence to be able to compete and believe in themselves. The entire team of teachers has been like a family for our kids, bringing out the best in our children with love and care. We are greatly indebted to them."

Mrs Annie Cordoza, proud mother of Jason mentions that the course triggers both the hemispheres in the brain to perform at the optimum. She says that Jason has never been pushed to practice on his abacus he has always done it willingly and with a lot of interest.

Jason is like any other 10-year old who loves to play with friends, watch cartoons and playstation but today he stands apart. Jason a fifth grade student of Our Own English High School, Dubai is the international winner in the basic level (Aged 9 and above). Jason is a brilliant student who is always amongst the top three in his class. Jason's father Jeffrey Cardozo is proud to mention that his son is an all rounder not just interested in academics but also in art, music and sports. Jason has won the art competition conducted by DALA as well as a prize for singing at the Echo Festival. While speaking to CT Jason mentions that though he was nervous in the beginning the presence of his parents, brother and teachers gave him a lot of confidence. Jason believes in giving his best for anything that interests him. He concentrated on accuracy in his performance. Winning the contest has encouraged Jason to practice daily and achieve a world record in the next international competition.

An interesting fact to be noted is that all these children do not just excel in academics but are also achievers in their field of interest, be it arts, music, dance, chess or other sports. This, the parents reiterates the fact that UCMAS enhances the listening skills, concentration, speed, accuracy and creativity in a child. The management at UCMAS is justifiably proud of the fantastic performance by their students at the International level. They hope to continue producing winners who excel not just in UCMAS but also in academics and other activities.