Emirati journalist Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh dies of heart attack

Abu Dhabi: Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh, a prominent Emirati media executive whose work transformed sports broadcasting, entertainment, and digital media in the Arab world, died on Saturday of a heart attack. He was 50.

Al Sheikh, a former chief executive of Abu Dhabi TV Network, was known for his strategic vision and leadership in developing the region’s media landscape.

He played a key role in launching Yas Sports Channel, which revolutionised sports coverage in the UAE, and Majid Channel, a dedicated children’s network aimed at promoting Arabic educational and entertainment content.

Over his decades-long career, Al Sheikh was a champion of digital transformation, leading initiatives that modernised broadcasting and expanded media accessibility across platforms.

Tributes poured in from colleagues and industry leaders, remembering him as an influential personality that elevated Arabic media.