Her words encapsulated a sentiment shared widely across the venue: Wasl Fit has become more than a campaign. It is a lifestyle identity, one that the community has wholeheartedly embraced.
EMRILL Lift WASL Fit Cricket Trophy as Wasl’s Fitness Drive Inspires Community Participation
- November 17, 2025
The second edition of the WASL Fit Cricket Tournament 2025 concluded in fine fashion at DCS You Selects Arena, bringing together the energy of community sport and the spirit of the UAE Fitness Challenge. What started as an initiative to motivate the Wasl community to move more, connect more, and compete with purpose has now grown into a Four-day festival of activity, camaraderie, and competition. The 2025 edition hosted 24 teams, representing residents, corporate partners, and clients from across the Wasl ecosystem, spread across 41 matches that lit up the cricket fields of Sharjah with colour and noise.
Cricket is familiar ground for UAE residents, yet the atmosphere during this tournament had a distinct tone—the kind that comes when fitness, teamwork, and fun are placed at the heart of the competition. On the final day, colleagues turned into fans, families into cheering squads, and players into unlikely heroes. The event demonstrated once again how Wasl’s wellness initiatives have evolved beyond routine programmes, shaping a lifestyle culture across its communities.
A Tournament Designed for Fitness and Togetherness
The WASL Fit Cricket Tournament sits under the wider umbrella of Wasl Fit, a platform developed to encourage residents and corporate employees to adopt healthier, more active habits. Aligned with the national Dubai Fitness Challenge, Wasl Fit pushes people to get moving—literally—through group challenges, sports workshops, and recreational competitions.
Cricket remains its most successful flagship. What makes the tournament distinct is not just the number of matches or participating teams, but the way it brings different demographics of the community onto the same ground. Tenants play alongside contractors, customer service staff bowl to their building supervisors, and many first-time cricketers take the field with the same enthusiasm as seasoned club players.
This mix of ability levels and backgrounds creates a uniquely inclusive environment. For Wasl, the aim is not simply to crown a cricket champion, but to strengthen the culture of wellness by making physical activity enjoyable and accessible. Across the two days, this intention was visible everywhere—from warm-up sessions led by volunteer trainers, to hydration stations, stretching corners, and dedicated zones for families and children.
A Final Fought in True Competitive Spirit
The final, played between EMRILL and Royal Oasis, mirrored the competitive yet friendly identity of the event. Under the afternoon sun at Arena 3, EMRILL walked in to bat with determination and finished with a total that deserved praise for both resilience and raw hitting. EMRILL began shakily, losing wickets at 0, 12, 17, and 29, stuttering to 33/6 inside seven overs. But the innings was transformed by a breathtaking knock from Bighnesh, who produced one of the finest innings of the tournament. He struck 71 off just 31 balls, clearing the ropes six times and finding the boundary five more—an innings built on impeccable timing and fearless intent. Supported by short but valuable contributions from the middle order, EMRILL finished at 136 all out in 14.3 overs. Their total, once improbable, now looked imposing.
Royal Oasis needed a brisk start to stay in the chase, and Anas Muhammed provided it with a 14-run burst off seven balls. But EMRILL’s bowlers held their lines tightly. Sabbir Hossen struck twice in his opening spell, while Jinu delivered a superb three-wicket performance that included the dismissal of the opposing captain, Shiyaz, whose 24 from 20 balls had kept Royal Oasis afloat. Every time the chase threatened to revive, EMRILL found a way to break the partnership. The turning point came between overs 12 and 14, where Royal Oasis lost four wickets for eight runs—including a sharp run out and two well-executed catches in the deep. Their innings folded for 101 in 14.5 overs, handing EMRILL a 35-run victory and the honour of lifting the WASL Fit Cricket Trophy 2025. Among the standout performers was Ranjith Haridas, who finished with 3/11, while Jinu’s spell of 3/19 ensured the chase never regained momentum.
A Word from the Organisers
Alexandra Pogorelova, Corporate Wellbeing Strategist at Wasl Group and the driving force behind this year’s tournament, expressed her pride in how far the initiative has come:
“Every edition reminds us of how powerful community engagement can be when wellness and sport are combined. This tournament is not just about cricket—it is about creating a space where people feel motivated, supported, and connected. Watching 24 teams, from different parts of the Wasl family, compete with such energy reassures us that wellbeing programmes can truly transform the culture around us. The success of this year’s event reflects the heart of our community, and we are committed to expanding these opportunities even further.”
A Community Victory Beyond the Trophy
As EMRILL lifted the trophy and celebrated with chants and high-fives, it was evident that the win extended beyond the scoreboard. For every participant—players and supporters alike—the tournament was a reminder of what collective wellbeing can achieve.
With the UAE Fitness Challenge continuing to inspire active habits across the nation, the WASL Fit Cricket Tournament once again proved that when fitness is approached through fun, community, and shared purpose, participation rises naturally. With a larger crowd, more teams, and stronger performances, the 2025 edition set a standard that future seasons will strive to exceed.
The ball has been bowled for 2026 already—and if this year’s energy is any indication, Wasl Fit will only grow stronger, healthier, and more united with every edition.
Participated Teams
Twenty-four spirited teams from the Al Wasl community and partner organisations competed with enthusiasm, showcasing diversity, unity, and strong sporting culture throughout the tournament’s 41 high-energy matches at DCS You Selects Arena.
About DCS YouSelects Arena, Sharjah
DCS YouSelects Arena, located in Sharjah, is a world-class multi-sport and creative destination built for high-performance tournaments and professional media production. The facility features three international-standard cricket grounds with floodlights, football turf, box cricket zones, training nets, and professional player lounges.
It also houses a fully equipped podcast studio, content lab, and media production suite for live coverage, interviews, and creative storytelling. The arena offers live cameras, live broadcasting setup, LED scoreboards, professional umpiring and scoring, and full media coverage for every event.
Additional amenities include a vibrant food court, spacious parking area, and a dedicated prayer room. Conveniently situated near Emirates Road and Sharjah International Airport, DCS YouSelects Arena stands as the ultimate venue for circket tournaments, corporate events, and media productions — where sportsmanship meets creativity.
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