Sharjah: Representatives from 12 countries, including the hosts UAE, will take part in the inugural Arab Women's Sports tournament which gets under way at the Sharjah Ladies Club from Thursday. The multi-event extravaganza runs till February 12.
The UAE will participate in all the disciplines which include basketball, volleyball, athletics, shooting and table tennis. Some of the other participants are Al Jazira women's basketball club from Egypt, Akad basketball Sports Club, volleyball, shooting power games club from Iraq, Al Mohafaza athletics women club, Korat Aljazira table tennis women's club, Al Wahda basketball women's club and Sheba Shooting Club from Syria. Palestine is also represented by the Jerusalem volleyball Club.
Yemen will participate in volleyball, archery and athletic events while Qatar participates through Qatar Women's Club in basketball, athletics, shooting and table tennis. Kuwait has Salwa Al Sabah Sports Club in volleyball and athletics, Al Fatat sports club in basketball, table tennis and Kuwait Club in shooting. Bahrain is represented by Bahrain volleyball Club, Al Mahrrouq Table Tennis Club and the Bahrain Shooting Club and Alrifaah athletics Club.
Announcing this at a press conference yesterday, Noura Al Noman, General Director of HH Shaikha Jawahir Al Qasimi's Executive Office, the President of the Higher Organizing Committee for the Women's Arab Clubs session, said: "There is no doubt that we in the Sharjah Ladies Club are proud to organize such an event which is first of its kind in the Arab region. The first session of Arab Women sports tournament will be a platform that gathers a range of Arab women's teams that have confirmed their participation in this major sports event. We have had consultations led to receiving support and cooperation from prominent sports committees such as the Olympic Union of Committees, League of Arab States and the Public Authority for youth and Sports in the UAE."
Nada Naqbi, Member of the Organising Committee and Director of the session: "We received a great response and encouragement from several parties who commended on our organization for the first Arab Women Sports tournament in Sharjah."
The venues for Games will be the College of Technology, University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, Al Thiqa Club for the disabled and the Sharjah Ladies Club complex.
