The ceremony started with the performance of the United Arab Emirates' national anthem. Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation (SWSF) and Chairperson of the Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence, then presented a recorded speech. In her address, she highlighted her involvement with sports from childhood, emphasising her enthusiasm for sports and their positive influence. 'I found the sports environment as an incubator for positive values and a venue for growing tenacity and great principles in my childhood,' she said. My interest in sports increased as a result of this concept. I learned discipline, leadership, and the necessity of physical fitness as a child, and it has become a crucial component of the Emirate of Sharjah's development. Sports should be ingrained in the fabric of the emirate's society for all family members."
"The launch of our Sports Excellence Award, which celebrates individuals who have left their unique imprint on local community sports through personal efforts, may appear to those individuals as personal efforts driven by the passion for achievement," Her Highness remarked. However, we see an altruistic model in each of them that contributes to the development of a generation interested in sports activities and raises societal awareness about the importance of sports so that individuals find a place for sports in their day, especially with ongoing responsibilities and the accumulation of goals an individual aspires to achieve. Some objectives may be neglected in favour of other accomplishments. With the existence of individuals who have achieved a level of balance in sports devotion, practical excellence, and academic performance, it was imperative to recognise and celebrate these achievements. They are role models to be imitated, and future generations can benefit from their achievements.
Along with the attendees, His Highness, the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, witnessed a multimedia presentation about the award. The presentation highlighted the efforts of the award's committees, as well as awareness workshops, meetings, and seminars for groups and people held throughout the nomination process. It included personal interviews with qualifying candidates and the selection of finalists in several categories.
Right after that, Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence, offered a message in which he expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, for his wise directives and unending support. He acknowledged His Highness's commitment to instill values and ideals in the hearts of the citizens of the community. He also thanked Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for her efforts in promoting sports and athletes, including her sponsorship of this special award, which has added value and significance bearing her name.
Al Hazami highlighted the award's different categories, welcoming all recipients, individuals as well as organisations. He praised their determined efforts, which persuaded an elite jury of judges who worked hard, precisely, and impartially to create a fair decision. Al Hazami sent his best wishes to all participants in the upcoming editions, recognising the important role played by the sponsors and supporters who, from the beginning, secured the award's support and sponsorship in order for it to realise its intended aims and aspirations. He praised the Board of Trustees, committee leaders, and other award affiliates for "working as a cohesive team to ensure the award's success and position it in a prestigious stature deserving of its importance.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees reaffirmed the commitment of the trustees and committee members to continue their efforts to motivate sports talents in the Emirate of Sharjah. He emphasised the sustainability of achieving success in various sports and the ongoing continuation of the award for future editions, celebrating athletes every year.
His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi then awarded the winners of the Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence in each of its categories.
In the Sports Leadership category, Mabkhout Awaida Al Karbi was named Best Freshman Athlete, while Rahma Khalid Al Shamsi was named Best Rookie Athlete. In addition, Mohammed Abdullah Al Qaydi was named the Best Young Athlete.
Sultan Mohammed Al Yahyai was named the Best Sports Activist in the Future Partners category, while Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Owais was named the Best Sports Opportunity Maker. Mohammed Imran Al Ali was named the Best Sports Media Influencer, while Ali bin Mohammed Alawi was named the Best Directing Athlete. On the level of sports families, the Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi family was named the Best Sports Family. The Murad Abdullah Murad Foundation was named the Best Financial Support Institution, while the Sharjah Youth Sports Academy was named the Best Sports Supporting Institution.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi received the Sports Personality of the Year medal after the Board of Trustees considered a set of criteria, including the candidate's imprint on the sports scene and their positive impact on the field through unprecedented practices, activities, and events that earned them athlete appreciation. This is in addition to their notable sports achievements in recent years. Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi got the top award in the lifetime achievement category, acknowledging his achievements and sporting career that promote sports ideals and community sports ideas. Amna Thani Al Jallaf received the Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Excellence in Sports Award in the category Sports Imprint. She contributed to the outstanding sports image through her active involvement in the sports arena, where she volunteered for more than 40 years. She created a lasting impression on others, serving as a role model for all athletes.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed took commemorative photos with the winners and the Board of Trustees, wishing them success and continued achievements. He also presented the winners in various categories with shields and medals specially designed for the Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence, which were specially crafted by Emirati jewellery designer Badria Salem, a member of the Sharjah Business Women Council, emphasising the award's commitment to supporting and empowering Emirati women in the workforce and highlighting their successes and achievements in various fields.
The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah also presented unique awards introduced by the Board of Trustees to recognise the achievements of clubs and participating companies. Ittihad Kalba Cultural and Sports Club was named the most active club. Furthermore, Ittihad Kalba Cultural and Sports Club and Dibba Al-Hisn Cultural and Sports Club shared the best coordinator award. Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club took the award in both the most participating club and the best coordinator categories at the specialised club level. The institutions and other organisations that supported the award were also acknowledged and appreciated.
The Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence aligns with the Emirate of Sharjah's strategy to support sports in order to achieve the national framework for quality-of-life goals. The award's inaugural edition focused on quantifying the impact of excellence among applicants on sports sustainability.
The award provided one million Emirati dirhams to support the recipients' continued sporting achievement. Individuals and institutions will be followed up on a regular basis by the award's administration, which will serve as an incentive to keep up their prominence. There were 1,630 nominations for the award, with 815 making it to the second round. A total of 115 files were authorised for the final round, and 33 were shortlisted, with three candidates in each category.
The nominees were sorted and examined by members of the high arbitration committee, which included a group of four outstanding international judges with more than 20 years of expertise. The review group consisted of 14 experts with more than ten years of expertise in evaluating local and sports awards.
Several dignitaries attended the awards ceremony alongside Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah's Central Finance Department; Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Ports Customs and Free Zones Authority; and Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club.
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