UAE President: Sports key to national development

June 16, 2025 / 5:28 PM

Sharjah 24 – WAM: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting young Emirati sporting talents by developing their skills and capabilities. He emphasised harnessing all available resources to empower them to achieve sporting excellence at both regional and international levels.

Sports as a cornerstone of national vision

His Highness noted that advancing the sports sector is a central component of the UAE’s broader development vision, both now and in the future.

Honouring chess grandmaster Rouda Al Serkal

These remarks came during a reception at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, where His Highness met with Rouda Essa Al Serkal, a member of the UAE national chess team and Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games.

The meeting celebrated her recent victory at the Arab Chess Championship, where she earned the title of Grandmaster—becoming the first Emirati woman to do so—and qualified for the Chess World Cup finals.

Presidential praise and encouragement

His Highness congratulated Rouda Al Serkal on her historic achievement, calling it a valuable addition to the UAE’s growing list of accomplishments in chess. He wished her continued success in the World Cup and commended her determination and perseverance from a young age.

Rouda Al Serkal's appreciation

Rouda Al Serkal expressed her joy at meeting His Highness and her gratitude for the support and encouragement she has received throughout her journey. She underscored that this backing has been pivotal to her success and said she is proud to represent Emirati women as the first to earn the Grandmaster title—an outcome she attributed to the leadership’s ongoing efforts to empower women in all fields.