Jawaher Al Qasimi: Sports Excellence Award inspires generations

Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award, Najla Abdullah Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Award, and Dr. Abdullah Abdulrahman bin Sultan, Supervisor of the Evaluation and Arbitration Committee, provided an in-depth overview outlining the award's goals and procedures, which aim to stimulate the various elements of the sports movement and achieve sustainability and excellence for different age groups in the emirate.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi delivered the following remarks at the event: "The sports scene has recently gained great popularity in the United Arab Emirates among individuals and local entities, which resulted in individual efforts that took part in local and international competitions and won titles, medals, and awards. The efforts of these individuals have become the bedrock that keeps sporting traditions and technical know-how alive. It's not uncommon for groups of amateur athletes to host competitions, and some entities even equip their employees with facilities where they can work on their favourite sports.

Some committed their time and energy to fostering a community-wide culture of sports excellence by training and mentoring young athletes. They are not looking for grants, but rather are selfless people whose love of sports inspired them to help others. They have not let the lack of a governing body for their abilities prevent them from helping others.

She said, "Safe places with playgrounds and sports equipment are available in every region of the Emirate of Sharjah. With the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, we have been able to help disseminate the culture of healthy living that produces champions in the local sports sector. Sheikha Jawaher attends to the requirements of athletes, particularly those who have achieved distinction in their specialised area, so that the flame of their enthusiasm can blaze brilliantly.

Launching the "Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence" will allow us to bring attention in society to those whose efforts have hitherto gone unrecognised, hopefully inspiring the next generation to see the value in sports achievement and to share their enthusiasm for sports with their friends and neighbours.

Issa Hilal thanked Sheikha Jawaher and explained that the award was named after her, adding that the Sharjah Sports Council and the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation would be working together in a collaborative effort to train the next generation of qualified and distinguished leaders in the field of sports. According to him, there are five criteria for the award: "good example, sports ethics, loyalty and belonging, integrity, and social responsibility."

To prepare and empower personnel and leaders capable of achieving the aspirations of the future and facing its challenges, the award satisfies one of the most important goals of the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and all efforts are integrated at the level of the sports movement in the Emirate of Sharjah.
 
In her remarks marking the occasion of the award's announcement, Najla Al Shamsi touched on the goals of the award and how it would help maintain a culture that combines sports and academic success in accordance with sustainable health standards. She stressed the four pillars that form the award's corporate identity, saying, "We discover, motivate, enable, and influence." She said, "The board of trustees of the award has designated a website for the award to facilitate simple and quick registration for the award's many categories; that website is www.sjsa.ae."

Dr. Abdullah Abdulrahman bin Sultan disclosed the award's four categories, beginning with sports leadership, which includes the best athlete, the best athlete on the rise, and the best young athlete. The second category is future partners, which includes the best media influencer, sports forum activist, and sports opportunity maker, as well as the best family, sports organisation, sports mentor, and financial organisation. The third category is lifetime accomplishment, and the fourth is personality of the year, which is decided by the Board of Trustees.

In addition to Najla Abdullah Al Shamsi and Dr. Abdullah Abdulrahman bin Sultan, the Board of Trustees of the Award includes: Hanan Mohammed Al Mahmoud, Supervisor of the Marketing and Communication Committee; Khawla Jassim Al Serkal, Supervisor of the Media Committee; Wafaa Abdullah, Supervisor of the Technical Standards Committee; Mohammed Ali bin Hammad, Supervisor of the Events and Public Relations Committee; and Bakhit Saeed Al-Qurs, rapporteur of the Board of Trustees.