Sharjah Govt. Employees Club kicks off Ramadan tournament

Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Government Employees Club Ramadan Sports Tournament will commence on Sunday, 2 March 2025, and continue until 21 March. The event, which has drawn wide participation from government employees, aims to foster teamwork and promote a healthy lifestyle during the holy month through exciting and competitive sports activities.

Sports as a tool for connection and well-being

The tournament provides a dynamic platform for employees to engage in sports and strengthen social bonds. Football matches will feature 32 teams competing at the American University of Sharjah from 2 to 13 March, while padel tennis will take place at Padel Arena on Mleiha Road, with 32 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams. The women’s tournament will run from 13 to 16 March, followed by the men’s matches from 16 to 21 March.

Promoting fitness and workplace engagement

Ahmed Hamad Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of the Sharjah Government Employees Club, highlighted that the event reflects the club’s commitment to enhancing connections among government staff while encouraging a sporting culture and active lifestyle. He stressed that beyond the competitive aspect, the tournament promotes physical activity as part of daily life, contributing to employee performance, job satisfaction, and a positive work environment.

"Football and padel tennis were selected due to their popularity among government employees and their ability to promote teamwork, discipline, and continuous improvement—values that align with our institutional goals of collaboration and excellence," Al-Suwaidi stated. "We anticipate an exceptional edition of the tournament that meets participants’ aspirations."

Competition format and structure

The football tournament will follow a single-round league system, with teams split into two groups. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, leading to a final showdown to determine the champion. Each team will consist of seven starting players and up to seven substitutes.

In the padel tennis competition, teams will first compete in a group-stage format, with the best team from each group advancing to the knockout rounds. The tournament will proceed from the round of 16 through to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, with an additional match to determine third place.

Awards and recognition

The football final will take place on 13 March, followed by the women’s padel final on 16 March and the men’s padel final on 21 March during the closing ceremony. Football winners will receive cash prizes of AED 25,000 for first place, AED 20,000 for second place, and AED 15,000 for third place. Padel tennis champions, in both men’s and women’s categories, will be awarded AED 6,000 for first place, AED 4,000 for second place, and AED 2,000 for third place.