A group of nine students from Dubai faced a significant challenge when their passports were stolen within eight hours of arriving in Athens for a robotics competition. Despite this unfortunate incident, the UAE team managed to secure an impressive second place among 193 countries in what is often dubbed the Olympics of Robotics.
Stolen Passports and Essential Documents
After arriving in Athens, the students went straight to the competition venue, where they spent several hours setting up their displays. That evening, feeling exhausted, they returned to their hotel only to receive distressing news shortly after settling in for the night.
Participant Vian Garg, a student from Gems Founders School, explained, “Our coaches went out to get us dinner and parked their car outside. They brought us the food, but when they returned, they discovered everything had been stolen.” The theft included passports, coaches’ laptops, and other vital documents, which students typically hand over to their coaches since they are minors.
A Distressing Discovery
“I was sleeping when, around 12:30 am, the coaches came to inform me about the situation. They said that despite the car being locked, it had been broken into. The area around our hotel is known for such incidents, even though the hotel itself was secure. Apparently, rental cars are more frequently targeted. Luckily, we had our Emirates IDs, which turned out to be very helpful,” Garg added.
The coaches went to the police station to file a report but were told to return the next day. They faced significant losses, including personal items like wallets and laptops.
Team Resilience Amid Challenges
The Year 13 student remarked, “Initially, we were all a bit distressed, but our team handled it remarkably well. Fortunately, the laptops containing our competition codes were safe. The following day, we focused on practising and maintained our spirits high, performing well in the preliminary rounds.”
Another participant, Riti Paghdar, a Year 12 student at GEMS International School, shared, “We had our moment of panic, not knowing what would happen next. However, we were reassured. Our coaches worked tirelessly to get the necessary documents for us. We focused on the competition and gave it our all.”
Navigating Bureaucracy
The students had to visit the local police station to obtain new passport photos before heading to the Indian Embassy in Athens. Remarkably, the UAE authorities made an exception, allowing the students to enter with handwritten temporary passports. Garg explained, “The Indian embassy in the UAE coordinated our re-entry with temporary handwritten passports, which is rare, especially when entering a country that isn’t our home. We are grateful for everyone’s support in making this happen.”
Achievements Beyond Challenges
Despite the challenging situation, the UAE team not only won a Silver medal but also received the Social Media Award and the International Enthusiasm Award.
Celebrating Success
Bansan Thomas George, CEO of Unique World Robotics and National Organizer of FGC UAE, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments. “This is a monumental achievement for Team UAE. Winning silver among 193 countries and earning additional prestigious awards showcases the immense talent and potential of our youth. Our team has made the UAE proud on the world stage,” he stated.
He also praised the coaches for their efforts in managing documentation and securing support from the embassy. “Although the students received handwritten temporary passports, which usually don’t allow entry into the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an exception due to the circumstances. Despite the challenges, the coaches kept the students motivated. The strong support system, including parents and the UAE management, contributed significantly to the students’ morale and performance.”
