Sharjah Women's Sports: Sustainable empowerment achievements

May 17, 2025 / 3:27 PM

Sharjah24: Sharjah Women's Sports regularly organises high-quality sporting events, notably the "Arab Women’s Sports Tournament," which began in 1997 as the "Gulf Games." In 2012, it expanded to include Arab countries and is held every two years to support Arab female athletes and enhance competitiveness in the region.

Vision for empowerment

Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women Sports, emphasised that the foundation operates under a clear vision set by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, aiming to empower women in various sports and achieve leadership at local and international levels.

Supportive environment for talented athletes

Al Mahmoud highlighted the achievements of the foundation in recent years and its role in providing a nurturing environment for talented athletes. This success is driven by comprehensive development plans and highly qualified coaches and administrators. Metha Ben Dawi, a board member of the UAE Basketball Federation, expressed pride in the foundation’s significant role in supporting Emirati female athletes.

Adding value to Women's Sports

Kholoud Al Junaibi, Secretary-General of the UAE Sports for All Federation, noted that the foundation adds value to women’s sports in the country and serves as an important resource for national teams, thanks to its clear strategies and consistent achievements in various competitions.

Ongoing efforts and financial independence

The Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation continues its efforts to enhance the presence of women in sports locally and internationally by attracting talent, adding new sports, and expanding cooperation with local and international entities. It enjoys financial and administrative independence and includes several clubs dedicated to developing women’s sports, such as the Sharjah Women’s Sports Club and Khorfakkan Women’s Sports Club.

Diverse sports programmes

These clubs offer a variety of sports, including table tennis, volleyball, shooting, basketball, fencing, archery, and athletics, reflecting the diversity of sports activities and the foundation’s commitment to inclusivity.

Historical background

The Sharjah Women’s Sports Club was originally established in 1982 as the "Park Club for Girls" and was restructured in 2018 to become a leading specialised women’s club, with a new headquarters opened in 2020 to enhance training environments.

Growing participation and achievements

During the last sports season, 522 new female athletes joined, indicating a growing sports base and expanding programs. Athletes from the foundation achieved notable successes, including three medals at the Arab Taekwondo Championship and several medals in judo and karate competitions.

Collaborative agreements

To enhance cooperation and develop work mechanisms, the foundation signed several agreements, notably with the University of Sharjah to promote scientific research in sports. It also partnered with the UAE Sports Medicine Association to unify efforts in supporting female athletes and improving healthcare through specialized training and research programs.

Sports media diploma

Recently, the Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation celebrated the graduation of its first batch of the Sports Media Diploma in "Sports Analysis," which lasted six weeks and included 70 training hours. This program aimed to prepare a new generation of sports analysts with the necessary technical foundations and media skills to provide comprehensive and professional analytical content in line with developments in sports media.