The annual networking event for corporate professionals in UAE, the Samsung Brain Challenge 2005 thundered its way through on 4th June 2005 at the Crowne Plaza auditorium. Samsung Brain Challenge, a dubaiquiz.com knowledge property, was hosted by Derek O’ Brien and for the third consecutive year the massive audience support ensured its mark in the annals of the quizzing culture in Dubai. 120 teams took part in the event. The elimination round of 30 questions weeded out the top 6 and brought them to face the challenge in front of an audience of more than 500 people some of whom were even willing to sit on the floor just to watch. The questions from all walks of life with a slight touch of IT were aimed not only at providing a level of difficulty for the contestants but also entertainment for the audience.
The quizzing action on stage was competitive, entertaining and absorbing. The variety and the freshness of each round had the audience asking for more. Each round had special audience questions with fantastic instant prizes. Peals of laughter and loud applause ensued whenever Quizmaster Derek O’ Brien displayed his sharp wit and sense of humour.
The leaders kept changing with each round and the quiz was heading for a photo finish. A close contest till the final round reluctantly eliminated the 4 teams from HSBC, TD & A DDB, Glaxo Smith Kline and Wotek. But finally Lowe & Partners who were the winners of the first SBC in 2003 (which incidentally was held on 4th June also) came up from lagging 32 points behind in the final round to win this year again. A small error on the part of Aptec Mobiles cost them their first position. Tension mounted with eerie silence when Derek asked the final question of the day. Aptec hit the buzzer too soon and it cost them the vital 2 points. The final standings were
1. Lowe and Partners (Sandeep Fernandes & Ajay Shrikhande)
2. Aptec Mobiles (Nikhil Soneja & Imran Khan)
3. Wotek (Jishnu Warrier & Rohit KG)
4. Glaxo Smith Kline (Samir Desai & Ambati Venu)
5. TD & A DDB (Chandrakiran Guntur & Eswara Van Sharma)
6. HSBC (Ashley Azavedo & Matthew Paul Smith)
Mr Jamal Abdul Salam, Director Partner and Relations and acting CEO Dubai Internet City, graced the event with his presence. Mr. K H Koh (GM, IT Division, Samsung Gulf Electronics), Mr. Jamshed Mehdi (CEO, Dubaiquiz.com) and Quizmaster Derek O’ Brien did the honours in the final prize distribution were the winners took home everything from Samsung IT products to Altec Lansing speakers to club memberships at Shapes – Wellness and Spa to wireless kits from Cheetah Networks to health packages from Belhoul Speciality hospital to fashion accessories to Crystal Arc trophies. A draw for one Samsung Printer, one Altec Lansing Speaker and one DVD Player took place for all those present in the audience. Now the corporate world awaits a bigger and better Samsung Brain Challenge 2006.
Samsung Brain Challenge 2005 was brought to you by Samsung in association with Dubai Internet City and Zee Network. Radio 4 network, Etihad Airways, CPI, Graphic International, Gulf Technical Commercial Printing Press, Crystal Arc, Shapes Wellness & Spa, Belhoul Speciality Hospital, Real Media and IdeaSpice supported this Dubaiquiz.com knowledge property.
