Venezuela victorious in historic OPEC quiz
Vienna, 30 June 2010--Luis de la Hoz, a 17 year-old student representing Venezuela, swept to victory in OPEC's first ever international quiz, held in the OPEC Secretariat today. The quiz forms part of the Organization's 50th anniversary celebrations.
Luis held off tough competition from nine other students, all under 18 years of age, to emerge victorious after a tricky three rounds of questioning about OPEC's history, its Member Countries and the international oil industry. Alongside Luis were students from eight other Member Countries, one each from Ecuador, IR Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, SP Libyan AJ, Nigeria, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as a student from host country Austria.
The competition which was broadcast live on the OPEC Website was enjoyed by an audience that included Ambassadors, Austrian dignitaries, local press and other students from both Austria and overseas, who were treated to an impressive display of knowledge from all contestants.
"I feel very proud of representing my country," said Luis, who hails from western Venezuela and hopes to be a systems engineer when he finishes studying. "It's been a huge experience for me. I studied a lot for this, but my teachers and family and friends helped me a lot. My mother was very proud - she cried when I won."
Kehinde Olatunde, 16, from Nigeria took second place and Jose Andres Yanchapaxi, 18, from Ecuador took third, but all contestants - many of whom were visiting Europe for the first time - were winners in their own right; all had won qualifying rounds in quiz-related competitions in their own countries.
Today's event was the culmination of a fun and culture-filled two days for the contestants. After being welcomed to Vienna on Monday by OPEC officials, they were given a guided tour of Vienna and were received in the city's majestic town hall or Rathaus. After the quiz, contestants were awarded prizes, souvenirs and certificates by the OPEC Secretary General, Abdalla Salem El-Badri, and were treated to a rousing performance by the VORLAUT children's choir, a joint project of the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Vienna Konzerthaus, Caritas Vienna and the Vienna Boys' Choir. The project aims at supporting children from marginalized groups in Vienna by integrating them into musical activities to enhance their overall capabilities.
The quiz is just one of many activities being held this year to mark OPEC's Golden Jubilee. Other activities include exhibitions, soccer matches, anniversary stamps and a range of special publications.
