Stars old and new are UAE camp champions

A nervous rookie and a confident veteran are crowned winners at the annual Western Union Camp Ka Champ (Champ of the Camp) singing contest.

Chandrama Shah and Moin Khan, celebrate winning the Western Union Camp Ka Champ contest.

DUBAI // A nervous rookie and a confident veteran were crowned winners at the annual Western Union Camp Ka Champ (Champ of the Camp) singing contest on Friday amid whistles and cheers from thousands of labourers and supporters.

An audience of more than 3,000 were on their feet when a pipe fitter and plumber from India's eastern Bihar state wowed crowds with their renditions of popular Bollywood numbers including the Shah Rukh Khan favourite Chaiyya Chaiyya.

"I have never sung in front of people before. I never knew the competition was so big," said Moin Khan, 24, who has worked with a construction company in Abu Dhabi for the past year. "I was very nervous. I'm mad about the movies. I remember each scene and song of movies I love, and it's because of this I won. This is a dream."

For teammate Chandrama Shah, 25, it marked a second successive victory in the sixth season of the popular competition.

"I like challenges and I have been singing for many years," said Mr Shah.

"I love two things - singing and cricket and I have taken part in singing competitions since school. I was not nervous."

More than 2,000 security guards, drivers, airport staff and welders from 70 labour camps across the country participated in auditions that began in June. Twenty four men made it to the semi-finals and six to the finals held on Friday at the Dubai Municipality grounds in Sonapur.

The organisers also released a music album featuring a compilation of songs by previous winners and this year's finalists.

"The interest has increased every year," said Rupa Vinod, the managing director of Right Track Advertising, the organisers. "It is great to watch people who are shy come forward and for the workers it is entertaining and motivating to see these men win."

The night ended in disappointment for many, but the contestants vowed to return.

"I will keep trying because I'm a true musician," said Hidayat Ali, 37, a security guard who has lived in Dubai for seven years.

"I have taken part in stage and folk music shows in India. I will not give up because I'm participating for the music, nothing else."

Collin Ishaq, a Dubai airport worker and Pakistan national, said he too wanted to a taste of success.

"I want to feel how it is when a person wins," he said. "I will keep participating until I win. People love Bollywood, not just Indians, but everyone around the world likes these movies."