MUSCAT : Eleven of the Middle East and Africa’s top automotive service professionals will take to the global stage this month, representing seven countries in the first-ever Changan Global Service Skills Competition.

From KSA and Oman to Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Morocco, the finalists will join peers from around the world in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 25–29 to battle for top honours in disciplines including service reception processes, engine maintenance, and vehicle fault diagnosis.

For the participants, the competition is more than just a test of technical ability — it is a career milestone, an opportunity to benchmark their skills against the best globally, and a chance to bring new knowledge back to their home markets.

MEA Finalists:

Service Advisors

• Eslam Mohammed Nasem – Almajdouie Motors, KSA
• Gaurav Harish Sanil – Arabian Gulf Automobile & Equipment, Oman
• Ismail Khorsheed – GB Auto, Egypt
• Khaled Gaafr Aly Ahmed – Almajdouie Motors, KSA
• Suraj Maliparambil Sudhakaran – Arabian Gulf Automobile & Equipment, Oman
• Ghufran Saadoon Abbas – Luluat Albakhet Co., Iraq

Technicians

• Anandu Dileep Kumar – Alqurain Automotive Trading Company, Kuwait
• Jason Arcillo Dungog – Premier Motors, Bahrain
• Jishnu Kelikkode Ananthan – Arabian Gulf Automobile & Equipment, Oman
• Baiju Pattayil – Almajdouie Motors, KSA
• Rachid Founas – Global Sian Motors, Morocco

The participants had been selected from the top service professionals at 2024 Changan Middle East and Africa Regional Skills Competition held in Damman, KSA, 2024.  Over five days they enjoyed intensive training sessions and the opportunity to showcase their skills, and exchange best practices. In this collaborative environment they can learn from each other and build upon their technical capabilities, focusing on areas such as diagnostics, repair precision, and customer service excellence. 

Mr. Xiao, General Manager of Changan Automobile’s Middle East and Africa Division, said: “Our finalists are not only representing their dealerships and countries, but also the skill, dedication, and customer-first values of the Middle East and Africa region. Competing at this level puts MEA talent in the global spotlight and helps raise service standards across the industry.”

Over five days, participants will take part in intensive skills challenges, attend technical salons, and join a factory tour, exchanging knowledge with peers from across Changan’s international network. Winners will be recognised for their excellence in both technical expertise and customer service, skills that directly impact the ownership experience for customers back home.

This marks the first time the Middle East and Africa has sent a full delegation to the global finals, underscoring the region’s growing reputation for technical excellence in the automotive sector.