
Sheikh Saeed crowns winners of NAS Junior Padel Championship
Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE Padel Association, crowned the winners of the International Padel Federation (FIP) Junior Championship at the indoor Padel hall of Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.
The competition for juniors was part of the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, the largest sporting event of its kind that was launched and sponsored by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
The Nad Al Sheba Tournament is held annually during the Holy Month of Ramadan at Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, under the directives of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, under the slogan 'Limitless Abilities'.
Hassan Al Mazrouei, Tournament Director, and Salem Dahmani, Senior Marketing Manager at Dubai Duty Free, were also present during the presentation ceremony.
Ahmed Al Hashemi teamed up with Aaron Rubio to win the under-18 final against the pairing of Antonio Palma and Alessandro Perrotta, while the same pair made it a rare double while finishing at the top of the pile in the under-16 competition too with a win against Ramtin Rafiei Borozhni and Ali Taghizadeh Feji.
The under-14 title went to Hamdan Al Hashemi and Mario Brocal Aviles following their outright win against Sepehr Mehrbakhsh and Ramtin Rafieibozhni.
Yassine triumphs at cycling event: Algerian cyclist Hamza Yassine proved his credentials as he retained his title in the Men's Open 74-km cycling race.
The Algerian was unstoppable as he won first place after completing the distance in 1 hour, 33.09 minutes to finish a fraction of a second ahead of Emiratis Abdullah Jassim Al Ali and Ahmed Al Mansouri.
In the senior citizens and residents category for men, Great Britain's Simon Cox won first place after completing the 37-km distance in 51:11 minutes. Algerian Khalil Haddad came in second (51:14 mins), while fellow Algerian Noureddine Houchine finished third for the second year in a row with a time of 52:52 minutes.
In the People of Determination Road Bicycle Category (C) held over a distance of 18 kms, it was Emirati Abdullah Salem Al Balushi all the way in a time of 25:19 minutes, followed by Emirati Ahmed Mohammed Saif Al Badawi (25:24 mins), while Saudi Arabia's Adi Hamdan Al Sharari came in third in 26:35 minutes.
In the People of Determination Handcycle Category (H) category, Omani Sami Al Sulaimi won the top spot with a time of 31:50 minutes, followed by Emirati Saeed Rashid Juma Al Dhaheri (31:50 mins), and Emirati Theban Salem Al Muhairi in third (36:22 mins).
In the Blind People of Determination B&T category, Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Al Malawi dominated with a time of 26:34, followed by Emiratis Bader Abdulaziz (33:43) and Ahmed Abdullah Al Shamsi (35:43).
Zabeel crash out: Defending champions Zabeel were eliminated from the volleyball competition after a thrilling 3-2 loss to Al Ameed.
The match, held at Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, ended 21-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 16-14.
Needing to log an outright win, Zabeel fell short towards the end while going down 2-3 against Al Ameed before a packed hall.
Despite Zabeel's strong performance, especially from Nathan Thimotee Feral and Iliya Petkovic, Al Ameed rallied back to win the deciding set. Tommaso Stefani led Al Ameed with 16 points and was named match MVP.
Al Tadawi 1 topped Group One with a perfect record after a 3-1 win over HFH. Despite dropping the second set, they dominated 25-12, 19-25, 25-22, 25-16.
The standout player for the match was Al Tadawi 1's Maksim Sapozhkov with a game high 28 points, assisted by teammate Nikita Zudin's 14 points.
Stage set for Wheelchair Basketball Final: Wheelchair basketball fans are anticipating an exciting final on Wednesday evening when Dubai Municipality takes on Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.
After nine days of action at the Dubai Club for Special Needs, the tournament will conclude at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.
The highly-anticipated summit clash will feature Dubai Municipality, who edged past defending champions Dubai Police 29-27 in a thrilling semi-final, against Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, who triumphed 34-26 over Sharjah Police.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Al Etihad
MEP backs first Emirati woman to compete in Formula 4 Powerboat World Championship
9 June 2025 20:34 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) Powerboat racer Alia Abdul Salam will accelerate to new success after being selected to join the Mubadala Excellence Programme (MEP), a community initiative that supports talented individuals across the UAE in the field of sports, arts, culture, and innovation. As part of this milestone, Mubadala joins as the Title Partner for Alia's 2025 Formula 4 Powerboat World Championship participation marks a historic moment as the first Emirati woman to compete in the Formula 4 Powerboat World Championship, representing the UAE in upcoming international races in Sweden, Norway, and Italy. This is both a personal milestone and a meaningful reflection of the UAE's growing presence in global sport, and a proud step forward for Emirati women competing in high-performance arenas. Through the programme, she will gain access to support that helps her pursue this passion with purpose. Launched in 2021, MEP is part of Mubadala's commitment to nurturing local talent and contributing to a resilient, connected was raised in a sports-focused environment and inspired by her father, Abdul Salam Firooz, a former champion and longtime contributor to marine motorsports. From a young age, she was drawn to the water and began carving her path in the sport, steadily breaking barriers at the local level before stepping onto the global stage. Her journey is defined by ambition, discipline, and a strong commitment to on her journey, Salam shared: "My goal is to inspire the next generation of Emirati girls to pursue their passions, no matter the challenges. Joining this program provides me with a broader perspective, allowing me to learn from industry leaders and develop the skills I need to outshine in marine sports and beyond. Mubadala's trust in me - and in the ability of Emirati women to succeed globally - is a powerful message, not just for me but for every young girl in the UAE dreaming of taking a different path."Through this partnership, I hope to encourage more girls to enter the world of motorsports, motivate young people to pursue innovation, and raise the UAE flag high in the world of fast-paced marine sports. It is a privilege and an honour to have Mubadala as Title Partner for this journey." Salam made her international debut in Norway last year, where she secured fifth place in her first international Formula 4 race. She also showcased exemplary skill and talent at the UAE F4 Powerboat Championship, winning ninth place during Round 1, seventh place during Round 2 and sixth place during Round 3.


Hi Dubai
8 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
UAE Launches National Service Athlete Programme to Support Elite Sports Talent
The UAE has launched the National Service Athlete Programme, a new initiative that allows elite Emirati athletes to continue training and competing while fulfilling their national service obligations. Unveiled at a special event organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Defence, the programme aims to integrate top athletes into structured training during their service and enable participation in key competitions that impact international rankings and Olympic qualifications. The first cohort includes athletes preparing for major events such as the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Participants span a wide range of disciplines, including athletics, fencing, equestrian, archery, and combat sports. The programme reflects a broader national strategy to empower youth, strengthen physical readiness, and align sports development with the UAE's vision for the future. It also supports the goals of the National Sports Strategy 2031 and the wider 'We the UAE 2031' agenda. Officials said the initiative will help identify new talent, promote discipline through sport, and prepare a generation of well-rounded Emiratis capable of representing the country on the global stage. A joint committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Defence, and other stakeholders will oversee the implementation, including athlete assessments, tournament participation, and collaborative workshops focused on coaching and fitness development. News Source: Emirates News Agency


Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses launch of ‘National Service Athlete Program'
9 June 2025 15:06 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, on Monday witnessed the launch of the 'National Service Athlete Program', a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of programme is designed to support elite Emirati athletes enlisted in national service by integrating them into tailored sports programmes. It enables them to continue their training and skill development during their service period and to participate in competitions that impact their international rankings or qualifications for major global launch was held at a special event organised by the Ministry of Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. The event was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, and Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs. During the event, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed met with recruits forming the programme's first Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed reaffirmed that supporting elite athletes is a national priority aligned with the UAE leadership's vision of empowering Emiratis across all sectors — including sports, which plays a pivotal role in shaping character and enhancing the nation's global profile by nurturing young national talent.'Athletes are our ambassadors on the global stage. We are committed to creating an environment that enables them to thrive. The integration of national service with athletic development strengthens the physical and mental capabilities of our youth, preparing them to be future leaders and guardians of our national achievements, while instilling discipline and dedication,' His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Highness added: 'The launch of the 'National Service Athlete Program' reflects a strong spirit of collaboration between government entities to support high-performing athletes, uncover new talent, and develop champions who will proudly represent the UAE. We believe physical readiness and competitive spirit are shared values between sports and national service. This programme lays the foundation for a long-term strategic pathway that advances our national vision."Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi said: 'This programme marks a significant step in developing national sports and supporting the physical readiness of our elite athletes during national service. It harnesses the combined strengths of both ministries to strengthen national identity and deliver on the strategic priority of building a healthy and active society.'He added: 'The programme directly contributes to the goals of the 'National Sports Strategy 2031', particularly in promoting physical activity among Emirati youth and enhancing their athletic and professional capabilities. It also supports the wider ambitions of 'We the UAE 2031' to empower our youth and ensure their ability to serve the nation with the highest level of commitment and excellence.'Commenting on the programme, Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei said: 'We are committed to channelling the potential of our youth into paths that benefit the country and enhance their overall readiness. The 'National Service Athlete Program' provides an enabling training environment for elite athletes to continue advancing in their sport while fulfilling their national duty.'He added: 'This initiative also allows us to identify new talent among national service recruits and support them through a flexible system that blends military discipline with athletic excellence. The programme prepares a new generation of well-rounded individuals ready to represent the UAE at the highest levels.'The programme marks a strategic milestone in mobilising national capabilities in service of the country. It aims to sustain and enhance the athletic performance of Emirati athletes during their service, while also enabling their participation in external competitions. Technical teams will conduct assessments and regular evaluations of selected recruits to identify emerging addition, the programme fosters collaboration to strengthen the performance of national service recruits and help uncover their full athletic potential. The inaugural cohort includes athletes who will represent the UAE in major upcoming events, most notably the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, as well as a range of regional and international tournaments. Participants span diverse disciplines including fencing, equestrian, archery, athletics, and combat sports — demonstrating the UAE's commitment to cultivating talent across the full spectrum of programme is built on a robust framework of coordination between both ministries, covering the organisation of joint sports activities, athlete participation in tournaments, and workshops aimed at enhancing sports and fitness capabilities. It also supports knowledge exchange, logistical assistance, and joint efforts in developing technical and administrative expertise in sports coaching and related fields. A joint committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Defence, and other relevant stakeholders will oversee the implementation of the programme's initiatives. The committee will meet regularly to monitor progress and ensure alignment with shared strategic goals.