Dubai: The Women’s Sports Committee of Dubai Sports Council is all set to launch the inaugural Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament.
To be held in December, the tournament was initiated by directives from Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC).
The fortnight-long competition will be held under the patronage of Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Organised in keeping with the DSC’s strategic plan 2011-2015, the tournament is the first and the biggest of its kind in Dubai involving six team and individual sports targeting women employed with various Dubai Government corporations and departments. The competitions will also be open to all women, irrespective of nationality, as well as the spouses of male employees.
The six sports to be featured include basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and chess.
“The aim of the Women’s Sports Tournament is to support women’s sports activities and popularise the culture of women’s sports as a basic factor to help women enjoy healthy lives and to enable them to deal with daily burdens of life, boost social ties among female employees in various governmental corporations while creating an entertaining atmosphere,” noted Mattar Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman, DSC.
Al Tayer called on the Dubai Sports Council to focus all efforts to ensure a successful tournament.
He also appreciated the Women’s Sports Committee’s efforts and keenness to implement the strategic plan.
“As per the directives of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of DSC, the Council is keen since its establishment to support women’s sport according to the strategic plan aimed at boosting women’s communities and enabling women to participate in individual and team sports to enhance their skills and abilities while helping them enjoy a healthy life,” Al Tayer noted.
“We are sure that the Women’s Sports Committee will be able to attain a dramatic development in women’s sports in Dubai and the UAE,” he added.
Laila Suhail, who heads the Women’s Sports Committee as well as the tournament’s organising committee, extended thanks and gratitude to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of DSC for his directives and support of women’s sport and to Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum for her gentle support to the tournament that bears her name.
Headed by Suhail, the tournament’s Organising Committee comprises Hamda Al Shamsi (Tournament Director), Muneera Safar (Head of Opening and Closing Ceremonies); Rawdha Mohammad Al Muhraizi (Head of Marketing and Partnerships Committee); Jamal Al Suwaisi (Head of Technical Committee); Omar Al Kindi (Head of Operations and Logistic Support Committee) and Murad Al Masri (Head of Media and Public Relations Committee).
Several government corporations and authorities have already confirmed their desire to participate in the tournament, including RTA, Dubai Municipality, Public Prosecution, Dubai Statistics Centre, Dubai Government Workshop, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai Health Authority, Awqaf and Minority Affairs Department, Dubai Customs, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Courts, Executive Council for Dubai Government and the Dubai Sports Council.
