The first event of its kind in the UAE

Nicholas Odhiambo Someone ‘handsome, fit and smart\' will walk away with the Mr Dubai 2011 title. For the first time in the UAE, 30 young men will vie for the title of

Mr Dubai 2011 in a contest that will match wit with fitness and style with good looks, organisers have announced. Entry to the contest, which was open to all nationalities, has now closed.
\"We will be looking for men who are handsome, fit and smart,\" said Joe Mari Hernandez, one of the organisers. \"I don\'t think there has been anything like this before.\"
To be held over four weeks at a club in the Regis Park Hotel, Bur Dubai, the first round, on May 21, will see contestants introducing themselves and being grilled by the judges. In the next round, on May 28, they will strut their stuff on the catwalk, followed by a talent show on June 4. The winner will be crowned on June 17 at a grand finale where he will walk away with a Dh5,000 cash prize along with a host of gift vouchers.

There will, however, be no swimsuit round.
\"All contestants will be expected to cover up to respect the sensibilities of the country we live in,\" said Hernandez, who did not want to reveal the judges\' names, saying he wanted it to be a surprise. \"There will also be no elimination round, since we want all the contestants to take part in the entire contest.\"

‘Anything can happen\'

The event will be ticketed, with entry priced at Dh50 for each of the preliminary rounds and Dh100 for the final event.
The 30 finalists, from eight countries, had to fulfil certain criteria, including being at least 1.65 metres tall and between 21 and 30 years old.

Nicholas Odhiambo, 23, a hotel worker, said he had to pay Dh200 to enter. The part-time footballer has dreams of making it as an international model. \"I hope this will open up opportunities for me. Anything can happen, you never know,\" he said.
Hernandez said approval to host the event has been sought from relevant authorities.
In 2007, organisers of a Miss Emirates contest disappeared without a trace after posters advertising the event came under fire from authorities in Sharjah. Meanwhile, Miss India Worldwide, a beauty pageant for non-resident Indians from the around the world, will be held in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

From Gulf News