SWS at MESIF: humans are the "greatest investment"

Hanan Al Mahmoud, the Vice President of SWS, gave a compelling presentation called “Investing in People.” She emphasized Sharjah’s approach to developing sports, which focuses on supporting individuals as the key to creating a thriving sports environment.

Al Mahmoud explained that the organization follows the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who is dedicated to building a comprehensive sports system from the ground up. She believes that the real value in sports comes from investing in people who can truly utilize sports facilities and infrastructure.

During her talk, Al Mahmoud outlined how the SWS is structured, based on a thorough study of successful sports models from around the world. This structure supports a system focused on people, which enhances all the organization’s programs and clubs.

The SWS model starts with children and early sports activities, then progresses through specialized programs, school competitions, professional sports academies, and culminates in a new initiative called the Sports Leadership Program. This program, created in partnership with the Sharjah Foundation for Capacity Development (Tatweer), has trained three groups of young Emirati women who are now taking on leadership roles in the sports world.

Al Mahmoud also highlighted that the organization aims not just to support professional female athletes but also to empower women at all stages of their careers in sports. This effort includes providing job opportunities in coaching, refereeing, media, therapy, and other areas, which reinforces the idea that working in sports can be a sustainable career option for Emirati and Arab women.

Additionally, she shared the success of the Arab Women’s Clubs Games (AWST), which is the largest women’s sporting event in the Arab world. This event occurs every two years and gathers over 60 clubs from 16 countries, showcasing Sharjah’s commitment to growing women’s sports both regionally and internationally.

The forum also featured a special visit to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, allowing attendees to see the advanced facilities and technologies used in managing top-tier sports venues.