Sharjah Launches 8th Arab Women Sports Tournament 2026, Celebrating Arab Unity and Women’s Empowerment

Sharjah, The Gulf Observer: H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, on Monday officially launched the 8th Arab Women Sports Tournament 2026 (AWST 2026) at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, marking the start of a major regional sporting event dedicated to advancing women’s sport and Arab solidarity.

The opening ceremony celebrated the spirit of “Arab Women” and unity, bringing together 65 women’s teams from 16 Arab countries to compete across nine sports through February 12. The event began with a formal flag-raising protocol symbolizing joint Arab action and the values of fair competition. The flags were raised by Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee; Shaikha Dr Hessa bint Khalid Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees for Women’s Affairs; and Tamer Gomaa, representative of the League of Arab States.

Addressing the audience and athletes, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher welcomed the delegations to Sharjah, describing the emirate as their “second home” and praising the growing participation in each edition of the tournament. She emphasized sport as a unifying force that strengthens bonds among Arab nations, fosters cooperation, and transforms sporting arenas into platforms of cohesion and shared identity.

She encouraged the athletes to serve as ambassadors of their nations and role models of sportsmanship, respect, and positive conduct, noting that unity of hearts should come before results. She also expressed appreciation to the organizing teams, volunteers, partners, and sponsors, as well as the artists who contributed to the tournament’s cultural and musical identity.

In his keynote address, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi reaffirmed that women’s sport represents a civilizational choice and an investment in healthier, more confident, and cohesive societies. He highlighted that the tournament is the result of a long-term vision focused on professional organization, fair standards, and lasting impact, and extended gratitude to H.H. Sheikha Jawaher for her sustained leadership and commitment to women’s sport.

Shaikha Dr Hessa bint Khalid Al Khalifa conveyed the greetings of Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, and praised Sharjah’s role as a leading Arab model for empowering women’s sport. She noted that the tournament has evolved into a major regional platform reflecting the rapid development of women’s athletics and growing cooperation among Arab sports institutions.

The ceremony featured an opening film themed around the tournament’s slogan, “Our Courts. Her Story,” highlighting the ambition, resilience, and diversity of Arab sportswomen. A dynamic basketball showcase followed, setting an energetic tone for the competitions. The official audio identity of AWST 2026, titled “Arab Women,” was also unveiled, performed by Hussain Al Jassmi, composed by Fayez Al Saeed, and written by Dr Abdul Salam Al Hammadi.

A symbolic moment saw female cadets from the Sharjah Police Sciences Academy carry the flags of participating nations into the amphitheatre, underscoring community and institutional support for women’s sport. Athletes’ and referees’ oaths were then delivered, affirming integrity, fairness, and adherence to competition rules.

Participating countries include Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates.

H.H. Sheikha Jawaher officially declared the tournament open, with competitions scheduled from February 2 to 12 across 10 venues in three cities within the Emirate of Sharjah. Events will be held in basketball, table tennis, volleyball, fencing, athletics, shooting, archery, taekwondo, and rowing.

AWST 2026 is open to the public free of charge, inviting the Sharjah community and Arab residents to support the athletes and take part in a celebration of Arab unity and the continued growth of women’s sport.