In loving memory of Samar Al Ansari: a loving daughter, wonderful sister, and great friend.
SAMAR Al Ansari Award
for Outstanding Contribution to Girls Soccer at IKNS
for Outstanding Contribution to Girls Soccer at IKNS
At the beginning of 2006-07 school year, the school community was stunned and devastated by the passing of one of the most capable students IKNS has produced, both academically & on the sports field! Samar Al Ansari was tragically killed in a car accident on the 4th September 2006. She was to begin her tertiary education studying at University of York in England, the same university as her older sister Qadar, something Samar was really looking forward to.
It is a privilege but tinged with much sadness I wish to present a new sports award on behalf of Samar’s Parents, Dr. Ahmed Al Ansari & Dr. Randah Hamadeh. The Samar Al Ansari Award is presented to the girl who has made an Outstanding Contribution to Girls Soccer during her time at IKNS.
In my 1st 5 years as the Senior Girls (SG’s) Soccer Coach, there has been an Al Ansari in the team. To be honest Samar’s passing hurt, and we have all asked why?
Someone so young, so capable & her life beyond IKNS all in front of her.
On the soccer field, Samar was potentially one of the best players in the SG’s.
Last year, she was one of twelve Gr. 12 girls in the Senior Girls Soccer Team, many of whom were very close to Samar. They too, personally really felt the passing of Samar & had to deal with the loss of a close friend by themselves as many were already at their new University.
Samar, in the JG’s acquired the nickname “crazy legs” & it stuck. When she ran her legs simply went everywhere. Anatomically, definitely not one of the great running styles. She was actually very fast off the mark, & one of the few SG’s who had ‘wheels’ (speed). Samar was at her best defending on the right, tackling & running the ball back at the opposition. Attack is often the best form of defense, why not from fullback. “Crazy legs” would often have the subs standing next to me laughing, wondering how she could run so fast & still control the ball.
Samar was also a very good badminton player.
Academics come first! Both Samar & Qadar missed the very end of their respective soccer seasons in Gr.12 due to IB commitments. Both came & saw me personally, told me of their intentions. Both apologized, they did not have to; I respected their decision & totally understood their reasoning. Academics do come first, extra-curricular activities come second! Not the other way around. Both Samar & her sister both attaind 42 marks in IB. Some of the highest marks any student has ever attained at IKNS. They must have been right!
One of the special things Samar told me I remember vividly. Knowing I was from New Zealand & the national game is rugby (not soccer); she was so proud & could not wait to tell me at practice about Qadar playing rugby at the University of York.
One of the fondest memories I have of Samar Al Ansari is of her & IKNS Girls SG’s Team in Dubai watching a video at some rather late hour when they should have been asleep. Imagine 15 SG’s girls on 3 single beds & one asleep in the middle of them all watching the video. The Dubai soccer tournaments are a special part of the IKNS sporting calendar & the highlight for many of you. Samar was no exception & really enjoyed her two trips to Dubai. How many of you have hugged the camel at Rashid School?
This is first year of the Samar Al Ansari Award and it will be awarded in subsequent years.
The award goes to the student who personifies all the admirable characteristics I have highlighted about Samar Al Ansari & their Outstanding Contribution to Girls Soccer during their time at IKNS.
This girl has played soccer for IKNS at every level from Juniors to Seniors.
They were part of the Intermediate Girls (IG’s) Team that won BPSSL in 2005-06.
She was captain of the IG’s & MVP.
In 2005-06, with only 9 fit players to play in our final game against our traditional rivals Bayan to decide the SG’s league. I went to Miss Isaac & asked if I could have one IG. I knew who I wanted. While very humble & not wanting to replace Gr. 12’s, especially as a Gr. 10 student, I literally had to push her on the field. Not only did this person substitute the then SG’s captain but scored the winning goal to seal the BPSSL League title for the SG’s. Ironically, Samar was one of the SG’s who missed this game due to her IB studies.
Academics come first! This person is an IB student who did say “no” to a request for student helpers at Elementary Sports Day. She put her school work first as it was more important than my request. I admired & respected her decision!
Academics do come first and extra-curricular activities come 2nd, even soccer.
Spanning the previous 2 years, this person got to play with her sister, provided some very special sporting moments for her & her family. To my knowledge she is one of very few students, if not he only one to score a goal in 3 different Dubai soccer tournaments in 3 different years. This person was part of the IKNS U19’s Girls Team to win the schools section in Dubai in February 2005. One of the very best performances by any IKNS sports team ever & one of my fondest sporting memories of IKNS.
The recipient is someone who only knows how to give 100%. Although new to the SG’s this year, I had no hesitation in naming her as co-captain as a Gr.11. She is well respected by both her peers & Teachers alike, a capable & committed player to the SG’s cause who won the BPSSL SG’s title & were 3rd in Dubai this year.
It gives me great pleasure to present the inaugural winner of the Samar Al Ansari Award for Outstanding Contribution to Girls Soccer at IKNS ....
It is a privilege but tinged with much sadness I wish to present a new sports award on behalf of Samar’s Parents, Dr. Ahmed Al Ansari & Dr. Randah Hamadeh. The Samar Al Ansari Award is presented to the girl who has made an Outstanding Contribution to Girls Soccer during her time at IKNS.
In my 1st 5 years as the Senior Girls (SG’s) Soccer Coach, there has been an Al Ansari in the team. To be honest Samar’s passing hurt, and we have all asked why?
Someone so young, so capable & her life beyond IKNS all in front of her.
On the soccer field, Samar was potentially one of the best players in the SG’s.
Last year, she was one of twelve Gr. 12 girls in the Senior Girls Soccer Team, many of whom were very close to Samar. They too, personally really felt the passing of Samar & had to deal with the loss of a close friend by themselves as many were already at their new University.
Samar, in the JG’s acquired the nickname “crazy legs” & it stuck. When she ran her legs simply went everywhere. Anatomically, definitely not one of the great running styles. She was actually very fast off the mark, & one of the few SG’s who had ‘wheels’ (speed). Samar was at her best defending on the right, tackling & running the ball back at the opposition. Attack is often the best form of defense, why not from fullback. “Crazy legs” would often have the subs standing next to me laughing, wondering how she could run so fast & still control the ball.
Samar was also a very good badminton player.
Academics come first! Both Samar & Qadar missed the very end of their respective soccer seasons in Gr.12 due to IB commitments. Both came & saw me personally, told me of their intentions. Both apologized, they did not have to; I respected their decision & totally understood their reasoning. Academics do come first, extra-curricular activities come second! Not the other way around. Both Samar & her sister both attaind 42 marks in IB. Some of the highest marks any student has ever attained at IKNS. They must have been right!
One of the special things Samar told me I remember vividly. Knowing I was from New Zealand & the national game is rugby (not soccer); she was so proud & could not wait to tell me at practice about Qadar playing rugby at the University of York.
One of the fondest memories I have of Samar Al Ansari is of her & IKNS Girls SG’s Team in Dubai watching a video at some rather late hour when they should have been asleep. Imagine 15 SG’s girls on 3 single beds & one asleep in the middle of them all watching the video. The Dubai soccer tournaments are a special part of the IKNS sporting calendar & the highlight for many of you. Samar was no exception & really enjoyed her two trips to Dubai. How many of you have hugged the camel at Rashid School?
This is first year of the Samar Al Ansari Award and it will be awarded in subsequent years.
The award goes to the student who personifies all the admirable characteristics I have highlighted about Samar Al Ansari & their Outstanding Contribution to Girls Soccer during their time at IKNS.
This girl has played soccer for IKNS at every level from Juniors to Seniors.
They were part of the Intermediate Girls (IG’s) Team that won BPSSL in 2005-06.
She was captain of the IG’s & MVP.
In 2005-06, with only 9 fit players to play in our final game against our traditional rivals Bayan to decide the SG’s league. I went to Miss Isaac & asked if I could have one IG. I knew who I wanted. While very humble & not wanting to replace Gr. 12’s, especially as a Gr. 10 student, I literally had to push her on the field. Not only did this person substitute the then SG’s captain but scored the winning goal to seal the BPSSL League title for the SG’s. Ironically, Samar was one of the SG’s who missed this game due to her IB studies.
Academics come first! This person is an IB student who did say “no” to a request for student helpers at Elementary Sports Day. She put her school work first as it was more important than my request. I admired & respected her decision!
Academics do come first and extra-curricular activities come 2nd, even soccer.
Spanning the previous 2 years, this person got to play with her sister, provided some very special sporting moments for her & her family. To my knowledge she is one of very few students, if not he only one to score a goal in 3 different Dubai soccer tournaments in 3 different years. This person was part of the IKNS U19’s Girls Team to win the schools section in Dubai in February 2005. One of the very best performances by any IKNS sports team ever & one of my fondest sporting memories of IKNS.
The recipient is someone who only knows how to give 100%. Although new to the SG’s this year, I had no hesitation in naming her as co-captain as a Gr.11. She is well respected by both her peers & Teachers alike, a capable & committed player to the SG’s cause who won the BPSSL SG’s title & were 3rd in Dubai this year.
It gives me great pleasure to present the inaugural winner of the Samar Al Ansari Award for Outstanding Contribution to Girls Soccer at IKNS ....
Ranya Al-Mashouk.
Mr. Mark Clark
Soccer Coach,IKNS
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