Dubai: His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and popular footballer Ahmad Khalil were among the recipients of the second Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards for 2010.
The names of the winners were announced at a special ceremony by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman, Dubai Sports Council, in the presence of Dr Ahmad Sa'ad Al Sharif, Secretary General, DSC, and Dr Atif Audhiybat, Chairman of the Awards Board of Trustees, yesterday.
Dr Shaikh Sultan, who has 14 doctorates in various fields, was given the award for his contribution to sports in the UAE, while Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Thani was recognised for his contribution in successfully bringing the Fifa World Cup for the first time to the Middle East.
Inaugural edition
Also getting due recognition was young UAE footballer Ahmad Khalil for his contribution in putting the country on the international map following the UAE's success at the AFC Asian Cup in 2008 followed by the silver medal at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China last month.
Last year's inaugural edition of the awards had 116 applications from 11 countries including the UAE, while this year's awards attracted 132 athletes and personalities from 16 countries. "This just shows the popularity of these awards based on the principles laid down by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum," noted Mattar Al Tayer in his address.
Dr Atif said there is consensus among board members to institute an international category to recognise sportspersons at the global stage. "However, a committee has been studying this proposal and a suitable decision will be taken in the near future," Dr Atif said.
"For the moment, our vision is to recognise the contribution of our athletes and personalities, both of our country and the Arab world. Once we are ready to weigh the positives and negatives from this edition, we will take a decision on the international category," Al Tayer added.
The annual Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Awards are presented to various athletes, administrators and sports organisers in recognition of their service in the sport in the UAE and Arab world. The awards will be distributed at a special function to be held on January 6, 2011.
The winners
- UAE Sports Personality: His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah
- Arab Sports Personality: Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Thani (Qatar)
- Arab Creative Athlete: Ali Mohammad Al Asy (Jordan)
- Arab Creative Coach: Jama Mohammad Aden (Somalia)
- Arab Creative Institution: Sudan Athletics Association
- UAE Creative Athlete: Yahya Mansour Al Hammadi (Ju-Jitsu)
- UAE Creative Administrator: Ali Hamad Al Badwawi (Football referee)
- UAE Creative Team: UAE Bowling Team
- UAE Creative Institution: Al Ain Sports Club.
- Arab Sportsperson who has contributed to the improvement of the Womens' Arab Sports: Shaikha Naima Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah (Kuwait)
- Arabic Sportsperson who has contributed to improvement in international sports: Tony Khoury (Lebanon)
- Athlete or Team or Sports Institution with accomplishments based on high moral values: Firas Mulla (Syria)
- Institution that has contributed to support and reinforce the social role of sport: Egypt National Olympic Committee
- Promising Athlete with distinguished accomplishment in the sports field: Ahmad Khalil (UAE)
- Distinguished local media by its coverage of sports events: Al Khaleej Sharjah
- Athlete with sports achievements in the light of major humanitarian challenges: Younus Jaad (Morocco)
- Creative persons with successful initiatives that have contributed in the enrichment of sports: Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Qatar National Olympic Committee.
