UAE- Capital students form world's largest waving flag

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Thousands of students joined hands in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to set a new record for the world's largest human waving flag to mark the UAE National Day. The Guinness World Records official told Khaleej Times that it was an achievement under a new category with a minimum of 250 participants.

The record was set at the GEMS Cambridge International School playground by 4,130 students from Abu Dhabi's GEMS Cambridge International School and GEMS United Indian School dressed in national flag colours, creating an image of the UAE flag waving.

Samer Khallouf, Guinness World Records official adjudicator, said: "GEMS managed to make the record with 4,130 participants. This is the largest human image of a waving flag. The students weren't just standing in a rectangular shape. Some of them were standing and sitting to make it look like a waving flag as you would see it with the wind. And they had to form the flag pole too. They had to be really artistic about creating image and disciplined in terms of how the stand and sit to create the final image."

It was a delightful sight as principal and CEO of Cambridge International School Kelvin Hornsby went around encouraging thousands of students with 'together we can' chants, pep talks and instructions for the task ahead.

"It's part of everyday life here. Every member is expected to play their part in the team. I may have the title of principal and CEO but I am just one of the team members," said Hornsby, who has an infectious energy and organisation skills.

He said the clinical performance was staged after practice of just five days. "This is only the second time GEMS United Indian School has joined us. As expected at GEMS, when we put our mind to something, we plan and prepare and have wonderful team to make it successful. The children and staff believed in themselves and know if they are at their best, anything is possible here," Hornsby said.

Dino Varkey, GEMS Education CEO, in a statement said: "By creating the 'World's Largest Human Waving Flag', we wanted to pay a tribute to the UAE and the achievements of our visionary leaders. Celebrating this occasion is a proud tradition we will continue at GEMS Education and I would like to thank all the students, teachers and parents who have supported the event with such great enthusiasm."

Ross McAuley, GEMS Education chief marketing officer, said that to set the world record only 250 students were needed, but it was the spirit of the country, which made everyone chip in.

"In the UAE, you aim high. So we got 4,130 students from age 6 to 16. We also had teachers, support staff, receptionist, bus attenders, catering department all being part of this as a family. It was a great day for everyone," McAuley added.

This is the fourth world record attempt by students of GEMS Education. In 2016, students paid tribute to the UAE for National Day by creating 'World's Largest Transforming Human Image'. In 2015, they created a record for the world's largest human sentence and in 2014, students of 119 nationalities sang the UAE national anthem together.

Ashwani Kumar

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