Dubai: The final touches have been put for the fourth edition of the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST) that is scheduled to be held at various venues in Sharjah from February 2 to 12. Karate will become the latest sport to debut at the largest pan-Arab women’s sporting event that has so far attracted 68 teams from 16 countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Libya, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Somalia, Djibouti, Kuwait, Oman, Sudan, Iraq, and the hosts UAE.
AWST 2018 will feature nine sports, namely Fencing, Basketball, Show Jumping, Table Tennis, Archery, Volleyball, Athletics and Shooting at the eleven-day event that has been themed “The World is Your Court, Together Victorious,”. Gulf News had a chat with Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Deputy Head of the Supreme Organising Committee, AWST and Head of the Executive Committee and Director General of the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation (SWSF) to find out the relevance of the event.
GULF NEWS: What is the significance of AWST?
Nada Askar Al Naqbi: When we first conceptualised AWST, under the wise directives and vision of Her Highness Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs and the Chairperson of the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation, we did it under the recognition of two realities: the Arab region needed a world-class sports event dedicated to Arab women and that an initiative was required to empower Arab sportswomen.
- Nada Askar Al Naqbi | AWST
As AWST grew after each edition, we were pleased to see how the event gradually positioned itself as a modernised movement for governments and private establishments across the region, taking substantial initiatives and steps to contribute to the overall empowerment of women in sports, and to support female athletes in taking part in large scale sports tournament such as AWST.
Today, we see AWST as a launch pad for many Arab female athletes who share a greater ambition in their athletic careers, and who share a dream to one day make it to the Olympics or to a number of international sports events. Their dedicated efforts, determination and athleticism are the key components to AWST’s competitive environment, where winning or losing don’t mean as much as simply taking part and competing with one another under an inspiring and motivating atmosphere. We’re proud to see how much our Arab female athletes have inspired many of girls of different ages.
Q. Why is it important for the Supreme Organising Committee to stage such an event?
A. A lot Arab female athletes continue to face a series of challenges in making their ambitions come true, which is to take part in excellent sports events to display their skills and abilities to themselves and to a wide audience. When we first conceptualised AWST and worked on introducing it to the region, we underwent several challenges as the volume of support and empowerment for these female athletes was new to them. We did not just tap into a niche market, we answered the needs and demands of many Arab female athletes hungry for fair play, competition and popular recognition of their efforts and dedication.
AWST then became a platform and a calling for many Arab women in the region and in the world, of which some taking part as athletes while others taking part by supporting and cheering for their female teams. Gradually AWST influenced many decisions across the region, where the tournament received high-level support from government bodies, official establishments and private entities across every corner of the Arab region. Today, the Arab Sports Council and the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees support AWST.
Q. What will be the highlights of this edition of the AWST? And why?
A. This year’s event is the biggest one since we began in 2012. This year’s AWST shares some significant insights that reflect on its growing popularity among Arab athletes and countries determined to involve their national female teams in this event.
Since 2012, AWST has grown its number of sports games from five, to seven in 2014 and to eight in 2016 where 51 teams competed from across the Arab world. For the first time this year the AWST will become the first women’s sports tournament in the region to go “green”, wherein our entire operations and processes will be on a “paperless” basis, digitally integrated services and communications, and all printed collaterals will include recycled materials.
This year will also mark the introduction to three new different trophies to better recognise outstanding athletes. Two of the three new trophies — the Supremacy Cup and Excellence Cup — will be awarded to athletes who have impressed through their physical performance, while the third — the Fair Play Cup — will be awarded to the player deemed to have shown the highest degree of sportsmanship and courtesy during the contest.
- Nada Askar Al Naqbi | AWST
Q. How important is this tournament, given the current focus of empowerment of women?
A. Governments all over the world have increased their initiatives in supporting women and advocating for their rights to be involved in every aspect of business, society and politics. So much so that governments have invested heavily in giving women opportunities in being involved in some of the most inspiring, innovative and dynamic initiatives and incentives across multiple industries.
AWST is a key component to this progress, involving women in the establishment, development and growth of a world-class sports tournament for Arab women. Looking back at all the progress and achievements we have secured, in addition to the strategic development we’re undergoing for the fourth edition, we were able to achieve that through the critical decision-making and creative processes of every woman involved in this project.
Since sports is considered one of the most integral businesses forces of any economy, we’re proud to have witnessed the inspiring results women have achieved in driving AWST into the stature that it is today, contributing substantially to the region’s sports, fitness and wellness sector.
Q. What sort of an impact do you foresee the AWST will have on the broader social life in the region?
A. The impact AWST has on societies and communities across the region is identified through numerous variables. For instance, sport is a key component to any business or economy across the world, where its influences and contributions go beyond several business and economic sectors.
The Mena region is enjoying a growing development in its sports and healthcare sectors, where many Arab nations are developing sports cities, healthcare free zones and fitness facilities that are influencing other sectors such as tourism, property development, environmental technologies and entrepreneurships.
Arab nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and more are among the key global players who have invested in large-scale sports city projects, attracting a diversified set of investments across numerous sectors. These types of investments influence the healthcare sector where specialised hospitals and medical centers are established to research and develop new techniques and healthcare solutions to improve one’s wellness, thus driving a nation’s innovation above and beyond.
With the world becoming more aware to the importance of organic and healthy living habits, start-ups are becoming more innovative with their ideas and solutions to support this movement, integrating the most leading technologies in their businesses allowing consumers the opportunity to enjoy their healthy lifestyles.
AWST not only inspires women to represent their nations in a world-class sports tournament, but it also inspires a health and wellness lifestyle that contributes to nations’ happiness and productivity levels, thus influencing economies at large scales and improving societies’ education and well-being. A recent study published at the ‘International Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Arab World and the Middle East’ in Saudi Arabia, overweight and obesity rates for adults in the Region are estimated at 30.4% and 12%, respectively, reaching as high as 66% and 31.5% in GCC countries. These issues are causing serious health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.
Q. What is the idea behind inviting some of the top sports personalities such as Princess Reema, Princess Haifa and Nour Sherbini for the opening ceremony?
A. Every year, we explore different and creative opportunities to inspire the Arab region with the bandwidth and knowledge behind the support women are receiving in the field of sports. Part of these efforts is exploring unique personalities to invite for each edition of AWST, as their presence and support creates a positive aura and energy to all the participants and audiences who are well-aware of the contributions these guests have done in the empowerment of women in sports.
We need to introduce such famous personalities to give our sisters from the Arab world a positive start to their journey at the beginning of each edition, and to carry this force all throughout their games until the very end. Whether they win medals or not, their participation, rubbing shoulders with the elite and being supported by a swarm of cheerful audiences alone will give them that triumphant sensation.
Q. What sort of expectations do you have from teams representing the UAE?
A. This year we’re witnessing intensifying preparations being made by the Sharjah Sports Club for Women (SSCW) teams, determined to give athletes and spectators an amazing and ecstatic show. With the most comprehensive field of athletes,
As hosts, the UAE is taking part in all nine disciplines represented by five teams from as many clubs, including the SSCW. The SSCW recognises the immense challenge being faced with, and are preparing themselves mentally and physically, as they will be the only UAE team to take part in all nine games. Recently, the SSCW conducted a series of sports training camps, sending its teams to countries like Egypt and Kuwait, while also hosting other teams from Kuwait in Sharjah and Dubai, and undergoing a series of specialised and advanced closed training camps especially in sports such as Fencing, Shooting, Table Tennis and Volleyball.
Other UAE clubs such as Al Wasl will be taking part in volleyball, Bani Yas Club will be taking part in show jumping, Al Nasr Sports Club will also compete in karate and Al Ain will contest in Archery. We wish all the UAE clubs the best of luck and success as their victory will be a victory to the UAE.
