Sharjah to host Middle East Dragon Boat Championship
Regional Sporting Highlight
The championship stands out as a leading marine sports event in the region, connecting with professional and amateur teams in thrilling races that emphasise teamwork and exceptional coordination. Teams representing the UAE, alongside participants from Gulf nations, Arab countries, and international competitors, are set to engage in the event, highlighting Sharjah's status as a prominent hub for marine sports.
Promoting Marine Excellence
His Excellency Ahmed Issa Al Hosani, Director General of the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, highlighted that the Middle East Dragon Boat Championship stands out as a remarkable sporting event, showcasing the UAE's and Sharjah's prominence as key centers for marine sports in the region.
Celebrating Sport and Heritage
Al Hosani expressed pride in the club's role as host for this significant championship, which brings together over 2,000 athletes from seven different nations. He highlighted that the event exceeds a mere boat race, serving as a celebration of maritime heritage and a chance to bolster connections among the participating nations.
World-Class Standards Ensured
He confirmed that considerable efforts were undertaken to guarantee the championship's success, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and strict adherence to the highest safety standards. He also emphasised that the objective was to provide top-tier competitions, alongside engaging activities for the public, transforming the event into a focal point for families and sports fans alike.
Public Invited to Attend
Al Hosani concluded by inviting the public to attend and engage with this major sporting event, which showcases the beauty of marine sports and reinforces Sharjah's vibrant identity as a capital of sports and tourism.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Kyrgyzstan hold UAE, Japan and South Korea celebrate WC qualification with big wins
Kyrgyzstan's never-say-die attitude saw them grab a last-gasp goal to hold UAE to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A tie on Tuesday. Kyrgyzstan's late salvo at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium saw them end their campaign on eight points while Cosmin Olaroiu continues to wait for his first win as UAE head coach with his side finishing on 15 points. With UAE's progress to the playoffs and Kyrgyzstan's elimination already decided going into the match, the game saw a cagey start before the visitors stole into the lead at the half hour mark. Valerii Kichin was dispossessed by Luanzinho at the halfway line, with the UAE midfielder driving forward before laying the ball off for Harib Abdalla to strike home past the advancing Erzhan Tokotaev. Abdalla was once again put through in the 41st minute but this time Tokotaev was quicker to react, forcing the forward to drag his shot wide. Deep into first half added time, Kichin went close to making amends for his earlier error when he produced a low shot from distance that UAE custodian Ali Al Hosani reacted well to push onto the box. Kyrgyzstan emerged after the interval a different side as they looked to put more pressure on the UAE defence. Ermek Kenzhenbaev's attempt from distance took multiple deflections and was easily claimed by Al Hosani before Joel Kojo set up Kimi Merk inside the box, only for the latter to crash his shot against a UAE defender. With 10 minutes of regulation time remaining, Kojo had a close range header caught by Al Hosani but Kyrgyzstan fought until the very end, eventually finding the equaliser through Kai Merk in stoppage time. Uzbekistan closed their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Qatar. Timur Kapadze's men, who have already booked their spot in their first FIFA World Cup Finals, finished with 21 points from 10 matches. Qatar will have to navigate the playoffs, where two additional places at next year's global showpiece are up for grabs. The West Asians finished fourth in Group A with 13 points. Uzbekistan dominated Qatar after a slow start, with early chances from Amro Syrag, Husniddin Aliqulov, and Eldor Shomurodov. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Azizbek Turgunboev beat two defenders and blasted a shot in off the bar, leaving Salah Zakaria helpless. Shomurodov and Jaloliddin Masharipov kept Qatar under pressure, with Masharipov nearly scoring after the break. Zakaria made several key saves, including denying Khojiakbar Alijonov in the 63rd minute. Shomurodov doubled the lead in the 86th minute, controlling a long pass and finishing clinically. Igor Sergeev sealed the 3–0 win in stoppage time with a close-range header shortly after coming on. Zakaria's efforts in goal kept the score respectable for Qatar. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace forward Daichi Kamada scored twice for Japan and Paris Saint Germain's Lee Kang-in netted for South Korea as the Asian giants rounded off successful World Cup qualifying campaigns in style. Japan romped to a 6-0 thrashing of Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in Osaka, while South Korea cruised to a 4-0 win over Kuwait in Seoul where fans were treated to a late appearance by their idol Son Heung-min. FA Cup winner Kamada struck twice in the first half for already qualified Japan, who finished as Group C winners. Takefusa Kubo, Ryoya Morishita, Shuto Machino and substitute Mao Hosoya were also on target against Indonesia, who came fourth in the group and moved on to a further qualifying round. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has set the ambitious target of winning next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Moriyasu said his players need to keep improving 'in all departments' and praised their attitude against Indonesia. 'The challenge for the players is to break past their limits and grow,' he said. Wang Yudong's 90th-minute penalty enabled already eliminated China to avoid finishing bottom of Group C with a consolation 1-0 win over Bahrain in Chongqing.
Gulf Business
4 days ago
- Gulf Business
UAE Lottery taps EQL Games in landmark digital gaming deal
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes The Game, operators of the UAE Lottery — the first and only federally licensed lottery in the Gulf region — has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with US-based The partnership, regulated under the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), signals a pivotal moment for the UAE's emerging lottery industry. As part of the agreement, EQL Games will supply games from its expansive iLottery Marketplace, representing over 20 global studios, along with its own in-house developments via EQL Labs. 'This is one of the most exciting lottery markets in the world, and we are honored to be a part of it,' said Brad Cummings, founder and CEO of EQL Games. 'Our iLottery Marketplace will offer a wide range of engaging content, starting with two compelling new titles.' The UAE Lottery's platform has debuted its first games through the partnership — Marble Run and Lucky Lagoon, developed by Random State, an EQL Games studio partner. Both titles feature dynamic gameplay and prize tiers reaching up to Dhs1.25m. UAE Lottery-EQL Games tie-up: Games on offer Marble Run pits five racing marbles against each other in a high-speed track filled with multipliers and obstacles, offering winnings up to Dhs1m based on finish placement and ticket value. Lucky Lagoon, an underwater-themed game, rewards players who match fish pairs hidden in eggs and uncover treasure chests, with top prizes scaling to Dhs1.25m across 23 tiers. 'When looking for a provider that could deliver the diversity of lottery content we needed — and on a short timeline — EQL Games was an easy choice,' said Bishop Woosley, director of Lottery Operations at The Game. 'The launch of Marble Run and Lucky Lagoon marks just the beginning of what we believe will be a transformative era for lottery gaming in the UAE.' Under the agreement, EQL Games will also source additional third-party content on request, enabling the UAE Lottery to continuously refresh its offerings. Both companies emphasised their shared commitment to responsible gaming and elevating the player experience. As the
Sharjah 24
03-06-2025
- Sharjah 24
Faisal bin Humaid Al Qasimi to run for ACF new term's presidency
He added that his decision to run again is in response to calls from several Arab national federation heads, who have asked for his ongoing leadership to complete the development of strategic programs and protect the sport's valuable legacy and progress on both the Arab and global levels. He also stated that the upcoming term will be his penultimate in his athletic career, expressing optimism that the work made thus far will assist in building on historic achievements while designing efforts linked with global improvements to create a strong route for future generations. Al-Qasimi emphasised that the Arab Cycling Federation has made important international accomplishments, most notably when the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) recognised Arab championships in 2018 and added them to the world schedule. This has helped Arab cyclists to qualify for the Olympics and World Championships. He also mentioned the introduction of Arab women's cycling championships, the expansion of road, track, mountain, and para-cycling events, the formation of the Arab Cycling Centre as a technical training hub, and the creation of the "Arab Cycling City" award.
