Arab Women Sports Tournament: Sharjah To Host 8th Edition With Taekwondo And Beach Rowing

The 8th Arab Women Sports Tournament is scheduled in Sharjah from 2nd to 10th February, bringing elite women’s clubs from across the Arab region. The event is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi and aims to advance Arab women’s participation in organised regional and international sport.

The tournament is organised by the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation, which is affiliated with the Sharjah Family and Community Council. Oversight is provided by the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees and endorsed by the League of Arab States, underscoring the institutional backing behind the event and its role in the Arab sporting calendar.

The sports schedule for this eighth edition has been expanded to reach more athletes and disciplines. Core events include volleyball, fencing, athletics, shooting, archery, table tennis, and basketball. Two additional sports join the programme: taekwondo, with G1 classification from World Taekwondo, and beach rowing, which is included for the first time.

This wider range of competitions is designed to increase Arab women’s representation across multiple sporting fields. The expansion supports competitive diversity, encourages talent development, and promotes stronger sporting and cultural links among participating clubs and national delegations. It also offers more pathways for athletes seeking higher performance levels and structured competition.

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Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi serves as Chairman of the AWST Higher Organising Committee and outlines the tournament’s guiding approach. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi said, "AWST has set a leading model for empowering Arab women in sport, advancing their role within the sporting community, and providing a platform that celebrates achievement while supporting athletes’ progression towards professionalism and fair competition. The tournament has also expanded the visibility of Arab women on the sporting stage and developed their competitive capabilities."

Building on this, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi highlighted the strategic backing from Sharjah’s leadership. He added, "The committee is guided by an integrated strategic vision supported by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the guidance and patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council. This vision prioritises coordination across partner entities in the emirate to ensure organisational, logistical, health, and security readiness, and to deliver a comprehensive competitive environment that reflects Sharjah’s standing and elevates the global presence of Arab women’s sport."

Arab Women Sports Tournament AWST inspections, venues and readiness

In preparation for the event, the AWST Supreme Organising Committee and executive committees held several meetings. These sessions examined operational progress, confirmed readiness to welcome teams, and reviewed technical arrangements for each sport. The committees focused on competition standards, athlete services, and coordination among local partners, aiming to deliver a consistent experience across all venues.

The committees also oversaw an inspection tour for a delegation from the Supervision and Follow-up Committee of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees. The delegation was led by Sheikha Hayat Al Khalifa, Chair of UANOC, and Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Anzi, Secretary General of UANOC, and included technical and administrative representatives supporting tournament oversight.

The tour group included Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chair of AWST Supreme Organising Committee and Chair of the Executive Committee; Areej Al Qahtani, Assistant Secretary-General of UANOC; Mustafa Idris, sports expert at UANOC; and Moza Al Shamsi, AWST Director. They inspected venues, facilities, and support services, and met representatives of club boards, who confirmed full backing for the event and its objectives.

The inspection covered a wide range of sites across Sharjah emirate, including the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre, Sharjah Women’s Sports Club, Al Qarayen Children’s Centre, Al Bataeh, Al Dhaid, Police Officers, Al Hamriyah cultural and sports clubs, Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled, and Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled. These locations will support both training sessions and official competitions for participating teams.

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Reflecting on the review tour and Sharjah’s preparation, Sheikha Hayat Al Khalifa said, "We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, for her continued support and patronage, which are central to AWST’s sustained success and its status as a leading Arab platform. We are confident that this year’s edition will mark a new chapter in Arab sporting excellence, reflecting Sharjah’s vision of integrating sport, culture, and development, expanding opportunities for athletes to compete and progress, and highlighting the strength of joint Arab action in delivering impactful sporting events." "In line with the games’ commitment to excellence, this edition will also introduce taekwondo and beach rowing as part of efforts to enhance the sports programme and diversify competitions."

With inputs from WAM