Organised by the Arab Chess Federation in cooperation with the Egyptian Chess Federation, the championship will bring together around 400 male and female players from 18 countries, making it one of the largest Arab age-group chess events.

Delegation and coaching staff

The delegation will depart for Cairo on 28th July and will be headed by Dr. Khalifa Ahmed Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club. The technical staff includes coaches Viorel Iordăchescu, Suhaib Al Aklah and Hashem Al Nuaimi.

Sixteen players to represent Sharjah

The club will be represented by 16 players. Twelve will compete as part of the club's delegation across various age categories:

Under-20: Zayed Sultan Al Taher , Under-18: Saud Jaber Al Zarooni, Ahmed Ali Bamatraf, Under-16: Sultan Jaber Al Zarooni , Under-14: Sultan Ahmed Al Muhairi, Under-12: Saqr Isa Khamis, Ibrahim Abdulwahab Al Obaidli, Under-10: Abdulrahman Saleh Al Ali, Saif Abdulwahab Al Obaidli, Fahad Abdulrahman Al Muaini, Under-8: Saif Ahmed Abu Khalil, Mayed Ali Bamatraf.

A further four club players will represent the UAE national team:

Under-20: Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Taher, Under-18: Hamad Shuaib Al Kaaf, Under-14: Rashid Hussein Al Hammadi, Under-10: Mohammed Rashid Al Muaini. 

Their participation brings the total number of Sharjah Cultural Chess Club players competing in the championship to 16, highlighting the club's success in developing young talent and supplying players to the UAE national teams across different age groups.

Championship key stage in player development

Dr Khalifa Ahmed Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club and head of the delegation, said the championship represents an important milestone in the club's player development programme.

He expressed appreciation to the Sharjah Sports Council, chaired by Sheikh Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi, for its continued support and commitment to providing the club with the resources needed to achieve success, contributing to its accomplishments both locally and internationally.

Al Mazrouei said the club's participation aligns with its strategy of giving players the opportunity to compete against leading Arab chess talents, helping them enhance their technical skills, gain valuable experience and prepare for upcoming continental and international competitions.

He noted that the club's sustained focus on youth development has produced a number of promising players capable of representing the UAE at international events.

Supplying talent to the UAE national team

"We are proud that four of our players will represent the UAE national team at the Arab Championship. This reflects the quality of our technical programme and player development system, and reinforces the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club's position as one of the country's leading talent development centres," Al Mazrouei said.

He added that the participation of 400 players from across the Arab world would provide valuable competitive experience for the club's players while giving them the opportunity to compete for top results.

"We are confident that all our players, whether representing the club or the UAE national team, will serve as outstanding ambassadors for Emirati chess," he said.

Al Mazrouei concluded by expressing hope that the team would deliver strong performances reflecting the club's efforts in player development and achieve positive results that would add to the club's record of achievements while supporting the continued success of UAE chess on the Arab stage.