Jawaher Al Qasimi launches 3rd Arab Women Sports Tournament

SHARJAH 3rd February 2016 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah opened the 3rd Arab Women Sports Tournament yesterday evening at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club.

The tournament continues until February 12th with the participation of 18 Arab countries and 58 clubs competing in eight sports including volleyball basketball table tennis archery fencing athletics shooting and show jumping.

The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Culture Youth and Community Development H.R.H Prince Talal bin Badr bin Saud bin Abdul Aziz President of the Arab Sports Council Head of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees Sheikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa First Deputy Chairman of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees Sheikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa Board Member of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Management Chairperson of the Bahrain Women and Sport Committee and Head of AWST's Supervisory and follow-up Committee Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi Head of AWST's Supreme Organising Committee Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority Shurooq and Rania Elwani the former Egyptian Olympic Swimmer and a number of dignitaries.

The opening ceremony began with a grand entrance by the participating countries: Jordan Bahrain Tunisia Algeria Saudi Arabia Sudan Somalia Iraq Oman Palestine Qatar Kuwait Lebanon Libya Egypt Morocco Yemen and the host country the United Arab Emirates.

Sheikha Jawaher welcomed the participating Arab delegations to the Emirate of Sharjah and to the UAE. She expressed her happiness at the great assembly of Arabic women noting that the Arab Women Sports Tournament had become the premier event in the Arab world which supports women sports saying "I would like to welcome the participating Arab delegations to Sharjah wishing them a lively and successful participation in the third session of the Arab Women Sports Tournament. I feel extremely proud of Arab girls and women gathered together on the soil of love brotherhood and peace the United Arab Emirates' soil. Let us appreciate the meaning of sportsmanship and compassion during competitions which we aspire to use as a platform to elevate women sports and promote civilised behaviour expressing our culture to strengthen human ties."

She added "I would like to thank all the organisers of the tournament; Olympic Arabic and Khaleeji committees unions and bodies. You elevate women's sports and your unified efforts bring us to international competitions. My brothers sisters and daughters I wish you a pleasant stay in the joyful emirate. In the name of God and with His Grace and Blessing we start the third edition of the Arab Women Sports Tournament."

Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi Head of AWST's Supreme Organising Committee said "It's a great honour to host you in your second country the United Arab Emirates and to see you all here for this celebration of Arab women's sportsmanship. I would like to thank the committee members of AWST 2016 for their support in making this tournament possible and thanks must also go to our sponsors whose support has helped us to make this tournament a success."

On behalf of AWST 2016 Organising Committee Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi honoured the late Osman Al Saad the previous Secretary-General of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees.

Sheikha Hayat Bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa thanked H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi for her great efforts in launching the Arab Women Sports Tournament. She also thanked H.R.H. Prince Talal Al Saud and Sheikh Isa Bin Rashid Al Khalifa for their unlimited support of Arabic sports in general and women sports in particular strengthening the role of women's sports in the Arab world regionally and internationally.