Al Hafiya Mountain Challenge marks major success in first edition

Distinguished attendance

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Mohammed Obaid Al Hosani, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Sports Council; Saeed Al Ajeel, President of the UAE Sports for All Federation; Brigadier Dr Jasim Mohammed bin Hadda Al Suwaidi from Sharjah Police; Dr Khalid Al Zaabi, Head of Al Freesh Suburb Council; Bakhit Saeed Al Qaras, Director of Sports and Community Events at the Council; and Sulaiman Al Naqbi from Sharjah Social Services Department. The dignitaries honoured the winners of the various race categories and praised the participants for their strong performance and spirit of competition.

Competitive spirit and strong performances

The challenge featured races of different distances and categories, including 9 km, 4 km, and 2.5 km events, as well as a junior race. Athletes from across the UAE competed in both citizens’ and open divisions, with notable performances from participants such as Ahmed Al Darmaki, Jassim Al Hammoudi, and Faisal Al Hammadi, who claimed top honours. The competition reflected the growing popularity of outdoor and endurance sports in Sharjah and the UAE.

Organisers commend the event’s success

Bakhit Saeed Al Qaras expressed his delight at the successful launch of the first mountain challenge, praising the excellent organisation and the lively atmosphere throughout the two-day event. He noted that Al Hafiya’s stunning natural setting provided the perfect backdrop for the challenge and contributed to its success. Al Qaras congratulated all the winners and thanked the government entities and private partners that supported the event, including the Sports and Community Events Department, Pix Company, and Al Qudra Company, whose efforts helped ensure the event’s smooth execution and strong impact.