Sharjah 24: Sharjah is set to host the much-anticipated 7th edition of the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST), featuring 550 sportswomen forming 61 teams hailing from 14 countries. Organized by the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation, the prestigious event, held under the patronage of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Women Sports, will take place from February 2 to 12, 2024.
The grand opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, February 2, at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre with a thrilling set of performances and activities opened for the entire public to attend.
Highlighting the significance of this year's tournament, the Higher Steering Committee of AWST announced the debut of the 'International Conference of Medicine and Women Sports Sciences (Excel)' on February 7. The conference, themed 'Future Vision for Establishment, Development, and Achievements,' will be the first of its kind initiative launched by SWS in the Arab world. Serving as a scientific platform, it focuses on research-driven techniques, solutions, and health programs aimed at enhancing the performance of sportswomen. The event will bring together a distinguished lineup of Arab and international experts to discuss groundbreaking inventions and efficient solutions that elevate the capabilities and performance of Arab women athletes.
This announcement was made during a press conference held on Tuesday (Today) at Al Jada, Sharjah, with the presence of key figures including Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of AWST Higher Steering Committee, Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairman of AWST Higher Steering Committee, and Noura Al Shamsi, Director of AWST. The event witnessed the participation of government officials, members of the Sharjah Women's Sports Club, and representatives from local and Arab media.
UAE and Iraq Lead the Charge in All Eight Sports at 7th Arab Women's Sports Tournament
The Higher Steering Committee revealed that the UAE and Iraq are set to compete in eight and seven sports respectively of the upcoming 7th edition of the Arab Women's Sports Tournament. These sports include volleyball, table tennis, basketball, shooting, archery, fencing, athletics, and karate. Bahrain will participate in all games except karate, Syria in all sports except shooting and archery, and Kuwait in all games except archery and fencing.
Hosted by Hawra Al Ajami, a karate player, and Fajr Al Marzouqi, a fencing player, both champions at the Sharjah Women's Sports Club and the UAE National Team, the conference disclosed that Iraq will be represented by eight teams, followed by Bahrain with six teams, KSA and Syria with five teams each, the UAE with four teams, while Oman, Egypt, and Kuwait with three teams each. Additionally, Libya, Yemen, Qatar, and Sudan will each have one team.
Athletics Takes Center Stage
Athletics will witness the highest participation with 12 teams, followed by volleyball with nine teams, and basketball and karate with eight teams each. Volleyball ranks third with seven teams, while archery and fencing competitions will feature six teams each, and shooting will have five teams.
Eight Sports Entities to Host Competitions
The Higher Steering Committee highlighted that competitions in the 7th edition will take place across eight sports entities in Sharjah. Sharjah Women's Sports, Sharjah Club in Samnan, and Sharjah Club in Bataeh will host basketball training and competitions, while volleyball training and games will take place at Sharjah Women's Sports and Khorfakkan Club.
Karate events will unfold at the Al Qarayan Children Center, while table tennis competitions will be held at Sharjah Club in Al Hazanah and Sharjah Women's Sports, which will also host fencing. Athletics competitions will be held at Al Thiqah Club after training at Sharjah Club in Al Hazanah, which will also accommodate archery training and games. Lastly, shooting training and games are scheduled at Al Thaid Club.
Agenda and Honouring Ceremonies
The tournament's agenda and honoring ceremonies will commence with fencing on February 4, followed by shooting on February 9, athletics and archery on February 10, and karate and table tennis on February 11. The grand finale will feature volleyball and basketball on February 12.
People at the heart of the development process
In his address at the press conference, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of AWST Higher Steering Committee, highlighted the pivotal role played by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in placing people at the center of social development and progress. Emphasizing the focus on building capabilities and skills, Sheikh Khalid underlined the importance of enhancing principles and values to make individuals active contributors to the advancement of their country and society.
He added: “Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports, envisioned AWST as a crucial step in women's empowerment, not only through skill development but also by ensuring their right to engage in activities nurturing their spirits, minds, and bodies. These activities uphold noble values, strengthen social and national affiliation, and contribute to the improvement of women’s sports in the Arab world.”
Beyond Sport: A Social and Developmental Triumph
Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairman of AWST Higher Steering Committee, emphasized that the tournament transcends being a mere sporting event. It stands as a social and developmental triumph, mirroring Sharjah's vision on the pivotal role of sports, especially women's sports, in shaping social culture, developing sports entities and facilities, enhancing capabilities, and empowering individuals mentally, physically, and ethically. AWST's certification by the Arab League and Union of Arab National Olympic Committees underscores its significance.
Noura Al Shamsi, Director of AWST, delved into the details of the 7th edition, expressing gratitude to all Arab clubs and teams participating. She acknowledged the dedication of AWST’s Executive Committee team, ensuring the tournament's success, taking necessary actions for a seamless event, and prioritizing the safety and comfort of all participants.
Hisham Saeed Khattab, Director of Government Relations at Arada, reiterated Arada’s commitment to supporting sports events in Sharjah and the UAE, particularly women’s sports. Khattab emphasized their focus on providing communities with green spaces and launched a new brand for electric bikes and scooters rental, promoting healthy and sustainable alternatives to traditional transportation.
The 7th edition of AWST is held in partnership with a host of leading entities, including the Arab League, Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, Sharjah Sports Council, Tasweeq, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Arada, Sharjah Media City (Shams), Beeah Group, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, to name a few.
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