Hamamat flies higher

Saturday, January 5, 2008 Pg 27 (The Mirror)
By Rebecca Kwei
When Hamamat Montia won the Miss Malaika crown in 2006, it came as no surprise to keen followers of the show.
Many of those who saw the potential in the young, beautiful and intelligent lady were convinced she would strive for greater heights.
And they have been proved right. As part of Hamamat’s prize package for winning the Miss Malaika crown, she was to participate in an international pageant.
Consequently, she took part in the month-long (November 24 to December 24) Miss Tourism World pageant which was held in Antalya, Turkey.
Hamamat did not come home empty handed but with “three feathers in her cap”.
She won the Model of the World — Personality; Model of the Universe, Africa and was the fourth runner-up — Model of the Universe.
“I feel great. It’s wonderful. It’s one experience winning in your own country and another winning elsewhere. Everywhere I went in Turkey people recognised me,” she said in an interview with The Mirror.
As a result of her extraordinary performance, Hamamat has received many modelling contracts and says “I’m looking forward to that. The sky is the limit.”
A total of 120 contestants from across the globe took part in the Miss World Tourism pageant, with 20 coming from Africa.
The competition had a major focus on modelling. According to Hamamat, it was a month of hard work of rehearsals, catwalks and runways.
The contestants also had the opportunity of touring and exploring the wonderful attractions that Turkey offers.
“One had to showcase one’s country. If you are Ghanaian, you ought to look Ghanaian, but attractive,” she explained.
She said she loved modelling and it was something she had always wanted to do.
At the moment, she is considering how to combine her modelling contracts and her education.
“I want to be a super model and also study Public Relations in school. Hopefully, I will be able to handle all the pressures that come with being in the public eye. I take one day at a time,” she said.
Miss Tourism World 2007 was won by Miss Ecaterina Sau from Moldova, while Tjasa Vezjak, representing Slovenia, was adjudged the Model of the Universe 2007.