The 400th anniversary of which scientific invention was celebrated in 2009? Which country has two AK-47 guns on its national flag?  These were some of the stimulating questions from the high tech “Brain Hunt World Quiz” competition organized by the Association of Malayalee Professionals in Saudi Arabia (AMPS) at SASREF beach camp.
Over 500 students from various schools in the Kingdom competed in this flagship annual event of AMPS, which has been held since 2004. In the preliminary elimination round, 164 teams, each consisting of three members, competed with one another to clinch a position in the final round.
The questions were from a mix of history, literature, politics, religion, current affairs, music, fashion, print and visual media and business world. Children often stunned the quiz master and the audience with their instant answers.
In the hair-raising final rapid-fire round, the International Indian School, Dammam, represented by Sharo Glany Costa, Vinitha Selvaraj and Fatima Matin Khan, emerged as the champions while second and third places were claimed by IIS Jubail (represented by Ruchir Dave, Asif Ali Soudagar and Shariq Mohammed) and IIS Dammam (Aman Yusuf Shaikh, Talha Afsal Sharif and Fraser Borgio).
The chief guest on the occasion, Fahad Al-Turairi, general manager of SASREF, extolled AMPS and rated the event as the most illuminating and edifying education event he had ever witnessed. He endorsed the support of SASREF in perpetuating such mind energizing competitions among students in Saudi Arabia.
The main quiz master was P.G.R. Nair, a seasoned Toastmaster and social activist in Jubail. He was supported by Krishnakumar Raghupathy and Salma Raheem. The preliminary quiz was compeered by Suresh Kumar. The visual and audio pyrotechnics in the final quiz were masterminded by Seju Davis and Murali Krishnan.
An indigenously designed buzzer for the exciting “Buzz the Button” round was designed by AMPS engineer VCS Nair and his team. A vibrant ambience coupled with the remarkable mastery of Nair led to an electrifying atmosphere.
Anil Thomas, president of AMPS, said: "Discovering the hidden talents in schoolchildren is our primary goal in programs such as the Children Fest and World Quiz. The entire AMPS family marches with a single heartbeat and that is the secret to the success of all our programs.”
Indian school principals Mohammed Shaffe, Syed Hameed, and Sreedevi Menon along with other dignitaries from various organizations graced the occasion. Thomas presented a recognition memento to IISD Principal Shaffe for receiving the national award as best academician of 2009 from the President of India. Kumarji was event manager while Blessy Seju Davis was anchor.