ABU DHABI, 13th November, 2024 (WAM) -- Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has crowned winners of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award 2024 during a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi today.
The Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Awards, organised by the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Academy, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, is the first of its kind in the region and has received wide attention in the Arab sports community. It aims to empower women and highlight their achievements in the sports sector, improve participation levels of women athletes, enhance competitiveness and excellence in women’s sports, and create a stimulating and supportive environment for women athletes to advance to the highest levels.
The award articulates the vision of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation,” Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), under the follow-up and support of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, President of Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, and President of Al Ain Ladies Club.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi; Hassan Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Presidential Court for Support Services Sector; Shamsa Saif Al Hanaei, Board Member of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy; Member of the Higher Organising Committee of the Award, and Maryam Al Mansouri and Hamda Al Mansouri, Members of the Higher Organising Committee of the Award, and a number of sports leaders, officials and stars in the UAE and the Arab world.
Award Winners:
-Best Arab Women Athlete: Gymnastics Star Kelia Nammour (Algeria).
-Best Emirati Women Athlete: Ahoud Khalifa Al Kaabi, a Jiu-Jitsu Champion.
-The Sports Personality of the Year 2024 Award went to Sheikha Dr. Hessa bint Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Board Member of the Olympic Committee in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Head of the Equal Opportunities and Gender Balance Committee, and Head of the Women’s Committee at the Bahrain Football Association.
-Arab Sports Pioneers Award was given to Sheikha Naima Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Chairwoman of Kuwait Women Sports Federation and Honorary Chairwoman of the Organising Committee for Women’s Sports in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in recognition of her prominent role in raising the status of women’s sports in the State of Kuwait and the Gulf region.
-Sana bint Hamad Al Busaidi, Chairwoman of the Oman Women’s Sports Committee and Advisor to the Minister of Education, has also been awarded for her pioneering role in women’s sports in the Sultanate of Oman and led many influential initiatives.
-Best Paralympic Athlete: Maryam Ahmed Abdullah Al Zeyoudi (UAE).
-Best Female/Male Coach: Marwa Al Amri (Tunisia).
-Best Sports Media Personality: Nahla Nabil Bouzid Al Maghribi (Sudan).
-Best Youth Athlete: Latifa Mohammed Khalifa Al Falasi (UAE).
-Best Team: Zamalek Club (Egypt).
-Best Sports Mother: Ruqayya Ahmed Abdullah Al Zaabi (UAE).