Events
HUAWEI XMAGE Awards Celebrate Photographers From MEA

Huawei announced the 57 winners of the XMAGE Awards 2023. The competition, which spotlights photos taken with Huawei devices, named three Grand Prize winners, 17 Best-in-Category winners, 34 Runner-up winners, and three Honorable Mentions.
This year’s winners were selected from more than 600,000 entries received between April 7 and August 15 from participants from nearly 100 countries. After China, the five countries with the highest number of entries were Malaysia, Türkiye, Poland, the Philippines, and the UAE. The most popular phone models used were the HUAWEI P60 Pro, HUAWEI P40 Pro, and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro.
Out of the 17 Best-in-Category winners in the Global XMAGE Awards, one hails from Egypt. Sadek Khafagy won the award in the Outdoor category for his work titled “Reflection.” His image captures the striking beauty of the unique rock formations of The Wave in Arizona. After a rainy day, water pools in this area reflect the oranges and yellows of the layered rock walls and bright blue sky. Khafagy’s photograph masterfully depicts this vista in perfect symmetry.
A number of photographers from the MEA region have won special awards from the Huawei community. The UAE, being one of the countries with the most submissions, bagged 10 out of the 15 MEA XMAGE Awards dolled out in 2023. Their images told rich visual stories from breathtaking landscapes, glistening architecture, and the diverse culture of the UAE. Talented photographers from Saudi Arabia and South Africa also earned Special Awards. The special awards had gold, silver and bronze winners in several categories ranging from Portraits and Art&Fashion to Hello Life and Outdoor.
Gold Winners: In the Art&Fashion category, the image “Art-Chitecture” captures a unique architectural design with excellent composition that almost makes it look like a flower. The portrait “Drying Up” is a monochrome shot of a man drying hotel towels, full of a sense of story. And “Water Drop” in the Hello Life category was a creatively inverted macro shot of a water droplet against a surreally colourful background.
Silver Winners: In Hello Life, “Golden Summertime” encapsulated the radiance of summer in a vivid splash of golden sunset colours. The portrait “Behind the Mask” shows an Emirati girl with her eyes conveying deep emotion behind her traditional face mask, a poetic image that celebrates cultural heritage. The joyful “Best Buddies” image depicts the silhouette of children at the beach against the colourful hues of the evening sky, representing the innocence and sincerity of childhood friendship.
The expressive portrait “Innocent Beauty” masterfully uses chiaroscuro lighting to accentuate the doe-eyed gaze of a young girl. In the Outdoor category, the “Skyscrapers” feature tiny window cleaners rappelling down the gleaming facade of a soaring skyscraper. This photo contrasts immense architecture with small human figures.
Bronze Winners: The serene “The Kite Runner” captures a solitary young boy silhouetted against a misty dawn sky as he tries to fly his kite. The cinematic “Life Sun” depicts the blazing sun casting dramatic rays through the immense desert landscape of Al-Ula. Another spectacular shot titled “Kyrgyzstan Postcard View” documents the culmination of a rewarding 9-hour mountain trek, showcasing the cascading valleys and jagged peaks revealing themselves in a breathtaking panorama.
The “The Last Light” is an atmospheric landscape taken at dusk, the fading sun casting the mountainous terrain in an ethereal glow. The “Night Under the Galaxy’s Lights” places an SUV in the middle, framed by the dazzling sweep of the Milky Way and some light-painting trickery. The image titled “There is No Love Like Snail Love” playfully highlights nature’s wonder through two spiralled gastropods tenderly exploring each other’s shells. And the portrait of a farmer carrying a woven basket on his head demonstrates excellent cultural storytelling.
Through unique perspectives, artistry, and storytelling, these 15 photographers from the Middle East and Africa have proven themselves at the forefront of their field.
“Dragon Clouds” by Domcar Calinawan Lagto from the Philippines, “Airshow” by Piotr Cebula from Poland, and “Fearless Eagle” by Dou Chuanli from China were awarded the Grand Prizes. Each Grand Prize winner will receive 10,000 USD (before tax) from the XMAGE creation fund, to support their photography and to encourage them to continue using Huawei devices in the future.
The 17 Best-in-Category winners and the 34 Runner-up winners were selected from each category, and will each receive $1500 and $1000, respectively.
The HUAWEI XMAGE Awards showcase how the XMAGE brand has inspired users’ creativity in mobile photography. Mobile imaging is a powerful lens for capturing life’s precious moments and as a tool for stimulating visual ideas. The HUAWEI XMAGE Awards has come a long way since its launch in 2017. The contest has inspired individuals to create magnificent photographs with their phones. It has also become a platform for showcasing wonderful images that provide glimpses into photographers’ perspectives on the world and their daily lives. Today, the XMAGE Awards has emerged as a prominent global photography event, igniting a wave of enthusiasm among individuals to express their emotions, exude confidence, and unleash their creativity through mobile photography.
The full list of award winners is available here: https://consumer.huawei.com/en/campaign/xmage

Events
Sony Announces INZONE Gaming Tournament

Sony Middle East and Africa has announced the upcoming INZONE Gaming Tournament, set to take place from February 11 to February 15, 2025, across UAE, KSA, Qatar, and Kuwait. Following the success of the recent INZONE tournament in Qatar, this latest edition expands opportunities for gamers across the region, welcoming over 1,000 participants to compete for a $10,000 prize pool across men’s and women’s divisions.
Participants will put their skills to the test in one of the region’s most competitive esports events, battling it out in Valorant, one of the most popular titles in the GCC gaming community. With separate men’s and women’s divisions, winners will claim their share of the $10,000 prize pool, with $5,000 awarded per tournament. Fans can also tune in live on February 14 and 15 to witness the action unfold in the tournament finals.
This initiative highlights Sony’s commitment to supporting the gaming community by delivering innovative platforms and top-tier esports experiences across the Middle East. Speaking on this, Jobin Joejoe, Managing Director of Sony Middle East and Africa, said, “The INZONE Gaming Tournament reflects our commitment to elevating the gaming experience in the region. With the booming esports expansion across the region, we are reinforcing our commitment to the growth of gaming communities and fostering talent across the GCC.”
Cool Stuff
NARUTO THE GALLERY Experience Makes its Middle East Debut in Dubai

Celebrating over 20 years of the global anime sensation NARUTO, fans in the Middle East will have a rare opportunity to experience the iconic world of their favourite ninja, as NARUTO THE GALLERY experience makes its debut outside of Japan, for the first time in Dubai. This unique experience, direct from Tokyo, will run from January 31 to April 6, 2025, at The Concourse Convention Center, near the Dubai Outlet Mall, marking the first time outside East Asia that the beloved anime’s legacy will be celebrated on this scale.
Created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the NARUTO anime’s debut in Japan, this immersive experience takes fans on a journey through the series’ iconic moments, themes, and characters. Featuring vivid life-size installations and exclusive artwork from the animation, NARUTO THE GALLERY offers an opportunity to step into Naruto Uzumaki’s world, including rare behind-the-scenes content from the series’ origins. From the vibrant landscapes of Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village) to unforgettable battles and intimate character portrayals, visitors can relive every pivotal moment of the beloved anime.
Experience Includes:
- Authentic Artifacts and Original Artwork: View never-before-seen concept art and materials used in creating the series, transported directly from Japan
- Interactive Displays: Fans can engage with iconic scenes and immerse themselves into the universe of NARUTO through dynamic video presentations on large screens and multiple monitors.
- Fans can engage with iconic scenes and participate in interactive exhibits that immerse them in the universe of NARUTO
- Exclusive Merchandise: Limited-edition NARUTO memorabilia and exclusive merchandise, making it a must-visit for any anime fan
As a landmark event for regional anime fans, NARUTO THE GALLERY reflects the global influence of Japanese anime and its cultural crossover appeal. With Dubai known as a bridge between East and West, this event reinforces the city’s position as a hub for innovative and world-class entertainment experiences.
This is a ticketed event, with tickets starting at AED 60 per person. Tickets can be purchased online through Platinumlist or at the venue itself. The exhibition will be held in The Concourse Convention Center, which is seamlessly connected to the Dubai Outlet Mall.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with NARUTO THE GALLERY Executive Committee to bring such an authentic and original experience to Dubai,” said Ahmad Khalifa, CEO, Akiba. “Al Ahli Group and Akiba are committed to growing the pop-culture scene in the region, spanning from West Asia to Africa, and introducing year-long, themed experiences and events, celebrating various iconic properties. And kicking off our series of events with NARUTO THE GALLERY, is extra special, as we celebrate NARUTO’s 20-year legacy by creating an incredible experience for anime fans in the region to connect with the series on a personal level.”
“We are truly honoured to bring NARUTO THE GALLERY to Dubai as its next destination. Through this exhibition, we hope to provide as many fans as possible with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history and legacy of NARUTO,” said the NARUTO THE GALLERY Executive Committee.
Bikes
Bollywood Stars to Blaze the Track at Dubai Autodrome for ‘DSBK Middle East Championship’

Dubai is gearing up for an electrifying fusion of speed and stardom as the ‘DSBK Middle East Championship’ takes centre stage at the iconic Dubai Autodrome Racing Circuit on February 2, 2025. For the first time, some of Bollywood’s biggest celebrities will swap the red carpet for racing helmets, promising an adrenaline-pumping showdown like never before. Some of the Bollywood favourite stars, including Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Vivek Oberoi, Gauahar Khan, and Salman Yusuff Khan, among others, will be participating and riding in this high-octane motorsport extravaganza.
The event is equally igniting interest and quickly gaining traction in the country as well, for its never-seen-before blend of Bollywood glamour with the thrill of superbike racing. As the UAE’s premier superbike championship, DSBK Racing has carved a niche for itself in the region’s motorsport scene. The event provides an opportunity to immerse in edge-of-the-seat racing action, engaging family-friendly activities, and a seamless experience with free entry and parking, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors.
Beyond the high-speed action, the event boasts an array of entertainment options, including live DJ performances, a dedicated children’s play zone, a diverse range of food trucks, an interactive fan zone, and exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with racers, influencers and celebrities. DSBK Racing’s Founder and celebrated racer Nasir Syed, along with Co-Founder Abdul Samee shared their vision for the championship and said, “The DSBK Middle East Championship is more than just a race; it’s a movement to promote responsible riding and nurture motorsport culture in the region. We aim to establish DSBK Racing as a marquee event on the Middle East’s motorsport calendar.”
In a major announcement, DSBK Racing has also unveiled two groundbreaking initiatives. The DSBK Racing Academy, UAE’s first-ever Superbike training academy, is aimed at cultivating the next generation of racing talent through structured training programs for aspiring riders. Additionally, DSBK Racing is committed to fostering a passionate community of riders, families, and motorsport enthusiasts, offering an experience that extends beyond races to include education and entertainment.
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