Dubai: More than 1,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Shaikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament that gets under way at various venues in Dubai today.
This year’s tournament, held under the directives of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), includes eight individual and team competitions — chess, running, basketball, badminton, handball, volleyball, swimming and cycling.
The tournament, which runs until September 19, will get under way with the chess and road race on Friday.
The basketball, handball, volleyball and badminton competitions will begin on Saturday at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The swimming competition will be held at the Al Wasl Club pool on September 11, while the cycling will take place at the Nad Al Sheba cycle track on September 12.
Moza Al Marri, DSC Board Member, Chairwoman of the Women’s Sports Committee and Head of the Organising Committee, said: “The massive response of national, Arab and foreign companies with sponsorship for this tournament reflects the desire of these corporates in supporting the sports sector. Women are a cornerstone of our society and it is only right that we encourage their participation in sport.”
The event is held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and is organised by the DSC’s Women’s Sports Committee. The main sponsors are Dubai Refreshments Company, Techno Gym, Al Dahmani Jewellery and Al Futtaim Motors.
