Arab Women Sports Tournament 2026: 63 Teams From 16 Arab Nations To Compete In Sharjah

The eighth Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST 2026) will bring 63 club teams from 16 Arab countries to Sharjah from 2 to 12 February. The event, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, will feature nine sports, including two new disciplines, across multiple venues in three cities within the emirate.

AWST is described as the only Arab multi-sport event focused on women’s clubs, combining several individual and team sports within one organised framework. Backed by the League of Arab States and the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, the tournament has taken place in Sharjah since 2012, under the direct guidance and support of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.

The 2026 sports programme includes basketball, volleyball, table tennis, fencing, athletics, shooting and archery. Taekwondo with G1 international classification and rowing are added this edition, widening the competitive scope for clubs and athletes. Teams are confirmed from Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Morocco and the UAE.

Volleyball contests at AWST 2026 carry official recognition from the International Volleyball Federation, aligning the event with global rules and procedures. Competitions and training sessions will be held at 10 facilities, including the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre, Sharjah Women’s Sports Club in Al Qulayaa, Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled and venues in Al Dhaid, Al Hamriyah, Al Batayih, Khorfakkan and Al Riqa.

Several sports share multiple locations to allow flexible scheduling and wider participation. Fencing and table tennis will run at Al Qarayen Children’s Centre and the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre. Athletics will use Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled for all disciplines, while the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre will specifically host hammer throw and pole vault competitions and training.

Shooting activities are scheduled at Al Dhaid Cultural and Sports Club, the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre and the Sharjah Women’s Sports Club in Al Qulayaa. Archery, along with rowing, will be based around Al Hamriyah, using both the Cultural and Sports Club and Al Hamriyah Beach. Taekwondo will take place at Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled, while volleyball, basketball and additional training will be spread between Al Qulayaa, Al Batayih and Al Riqa.

Arab Women Sports Tournament AWST 2026 leadership and partners

Details of the eighth edition were presented during a press conference at the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the AWST Higher Organising Committee, led the briefing. Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of the Higher Organising Committee and Head of the Executive Committee, and Moza Al Shamsi, Director of the Tournament, also attended.

The event was joined by Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council and strategic partner of AWST. Dr. Abdelrahman Bin Taliah, Director Corporate and Executive Affairs at Air Arabia, the official carrier, was present alongside officials from the UAE National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Sport, club leaders, sports federations, sponsors and media representatives.

In his keynote remarks, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said, "Over the years, the tournament has bolstered its role as an extension of Sharjah’s developmental project, established and nurtured by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who consistently emphasises the role of sport within society, particularly among youth, in instilling national values, developing talent, and preparing future generations."

Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi continued, "Since its launch in 2012 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, AWST has served as a practical model of sport as a tool for community development and women’s empowerment. Founded upon Her Highness’s vision of sport as a space for connection and opportunity, the tournament has provided a dedicated Arab platform to celebrate gifted female athletes and showcase their inspiring journeys at regional and international levels, reinforcing Sharjah’s status as an Arab hub for building confidence, capability, and competitive women’s sporting role models."

Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi added, "The tournament has contributed to the steady advancement of Arab women’s sport, reflected in the increased presence of Arab sportswomen on international podiums and the growing strength of women’s clubs as sustainable institutions capable of developing future female sports leaders," he concluded.

Hanan Al Mahmoud said, "AWST has evolved into a leading platform for sporting excellence and a unifying Arab space for elite athletes. It embodies the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi for fair competition grounded in sportsmanship, a shared Arab identity, and the belief that every participant is a true partner in this journey."

Discussing the sports list, Hanan Al Mahmoud stated, "This edition marks a new phase in AWST’s growth with the introduction of taekwondo under the international G1 classification and the addition of rowing, expanding competitive opportunities for clubs and athletes. We also confirm the official approval of the volleyball competitions by the International Volleyball Federation, further aligning the tournament with recognised international regulations and competition standards."

Arab Women Sports Tournament AWST 2026 conference, research and legacy

Hanan Al Mahmoud also highlighted an academic component running alongside AWST 2026. The international scientific sports conference "Excel", in its second edition, will take place in parallel under the theme "Integrating Movement into Education." The event is organised by the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation and is designed to support long-term advancement in women’s sport through research-based insight.

According to Hanan Al Mahmoud, the conference theme stems from studies done by the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation’s research centre. Thousands of physical assessments during school competitions highlighted fitness indicators needing attention at early ages. These findings encouraged a focus on bringing more movement into education as a practical method to encourage holistic health and support future athletes.

During the press conference, Moza Al Shamsi said, "Since its inception, each edition has built on the last, introducing deeper expertise, more streamlined operational procedures, stronger partnerships, and increasingly specialised teams. With its eighth edition, the tournament has matured in both concept and stature, expanding the scale of its sports and competitions and establishing itself as an Arab platform guided by clear operational standards and fully integrated logistical, media, and medical frameworks operating as a single unit."

The press event further introduced the official anthem of the eighth edition, titled "Arab Women". The work is a joint artistic project featuring Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi, with composition by Fayez Al Saeed and lyrics by Dr. Abdul Salam Al Hammadi. Organisers presented the anthem as part of wider cultural elements supporting the sporting programme.

Officials lastly revealed the AWST 2026 mascot, Raya, designed as a female jerboa, an animal native to the UAE desert environment. Raya represents the national flag and aims to express pride and representation. According to organisers, the mascot symbolises intelligence, adaptability and resilience, linking women’s sporting ambition and competitiveness with local identity and Sharjah’s commitment to developing Arab women’s sport.

With inputs from WAM