The tournament served as a continuation of the project's regular training sessions, offering participants the chance to apply the gymnastics skills they had learned in a structured setting distinct from their daily classes. This format allowed for the monitoring of performance progress while fostering confidence, focus, and independence in executing skills.

Participants were divided into the project's two target age groups—4 to 5 years old and 6 to 7 years old. Performances were categorised by progressive technical levels that accounted for variations in age and experience, enabling each child to demonstrate skills appropriate to her current stage of training.

Gymnastics develops fundamental motor skills

The skills performed included floor exercises, balance beam routines, parallel bars, and vaulting. Performance levels progressed, with a focus on balance, motor coordination, body control, concentration, and the quality of execution.

The Early Childhood Sports initiative utilises gymnastics as a foundational sport for early childhood, as it combines a wide range of skills that help children develop balance, flexibility, coordination, movement control, and body awareness. The programme also supports a curriculum of psychomotor enrichment by linking movement, focus, and responsiveness, thereby providing the child with a physical and motor foundation upon which she can build in the future—pursuing sports that align with her interests and abilities.

Progress is measured by the skills a child acquires

Al Yaziya Al Suwaidi, Director of the Women’s Sports Department at Sharjah Womens Sports, emphasised that the second championship offered a clearer opportunity to observe the impact of consistent training and the progress participants have made since starting the programme. She also highlighted the vital role families play in encouraging children and in fostering an early connection to sport.

Al Suwaidi stated: "At this stage, we are tracking the child's development—observing improvements in her balance, control of movement, coordination, and focus, and her gradual transition to performing skills with greater confidence and independence. We therefore ensure that the programme accommodates varying ages and skill levels, allowing each child to progress according to her abilities and pace."

Al Suwaidi added: "Gymnastics was selected for this project because it provides a broad motor foundation at a crucial stage of a child's development. The skills acquired—such as balance, flexibility, control, and coordination—help build a repertoire of movement capabilities that she can utilise later in various activities and sports. Our goal at this stage is not early specialisation or the formation of competitive teams; rather, it is to ensure the child grows up loving movement and sports, embracing them as a natural part of her lifestyle. Family support and encouragement remain key to sustaining this relationship." Moza Al Shamsi: Early Foundations Build a Lasting Relationship with Sports

Early foundations support a lasting relationship with sports

Her Excellency Moza Al Shamsi, Director of Sharjah Womens Sports, emphasised that the project reflects the Foundation's commitment to investing in early childhood through a well-planned sporting experience that prioritises healthy motor development and a love of sport.

Al Shamsi stated: "At this stage, the value of the project lies not in selecting a specific sport early on, but in providing the child with a solid motor foundation and a positive experience that makes physical activity and sport a natural part of her life. The more effectively this foundation is built, the better prepared the child becomes to continue, develop, and discover the sport that suits her abilities and interests in later stages."

Al Shamsi added: "We particularly value the presence of mothers and fathers who accompany their daughters every step of the way at training sessions and developmental tournaments. We have seen the impact of this support on participants' confidence, enthusiasm, and engagement. We consider parents key partners in the project's success, as a child's relationship with sport is not built solely within the training hall but is also reinforced by the encouragement she receives from her family."

Participation grows across three training centres

The second tournament saw an increase in the number of participants compared with the inaugural edition—which featured 68 young athletes—reflecting the growing participant base and the project's continued success across its three training centres.

Sharjah Womens Sports continues to implement the Early Childhood Sports Project in Sharjah, Al Dhaid, and Kalba. The initiative follows a progressive programme that uses gymnastics to develop fundamental motor and cognitive skills in girls aged 4 to 7, fostering a lasting connection to physical activity and sport from an early age.