Nader named most influential Arab sports figure at ceremony in Cairo
The glittering ceremony, held under the lights of the Egyptian capital, welcomed high-profile guests from across the Arab world and beyond, including Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Egypt's Minister of Youth and Sports, who presented the award. Representing Abu Shawish, Ihab Abdelkader accepted the honor on his behalf.
The event, themed 'Those Who Excel, Are Honored,' brought together a distinguished audience of sports leaders, ambassadors, federation presidents, and media figures.
It celebrated not only athletic achievement but also the individuals whose dedication has elevated Arab sports on the international stage.
'This award is a testament to the enduring impact Abu Shawish has had on martial arts and sports development across the region,' said Dr. Sobhy in his opening remarks.
'Honoring such figures serves as both recognition and inspiration.'
Alongside Dr. Sobhy, dignitaries in attendance included MP Mahmoud Hussein, Chairman of Egypt's Youth and Sports Committee; Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport; and Dr. Ahmed Daher, Deputy Minister of Education.
Also present were top officials from the Bahraini Olympic Committee, and diplomatic representatives from Algeria, Jordan, and the US.
This year's Best Awards saw fierce competition in several categories, including Best Young Athlete (male and female), Best Team Athlete, and Best Sports Federation, with numerous notable Egyptian and Arab figures recognized for their contributions to sports and media.
Organized by Tatweeg News, the fifth edition of the awards reaffirmed its status as one of the Arab world's premier platforms for celebrating athletic distinction and leadership.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
Dibba Al Hisn Club starts pre-season training camp abroad
Leading the group is Ahmed Murad Ali Al Amiri, who is in charge of the club's professional team. The delegation consists of 25 players, including both established team members and promising talents. They will be trained by Captain Tarek Al Sayed, an experienced Egyptian coach known for his expertise in football coaching. A comprehensive and progressive camp The upcoming training camp is an important step in our team's preparation for the season. During this camp, the team will play four friendly matches against different Egyptian clubs, starting on Saturday, August 9, and ending on Saturday, August 23. These matches are designed to help the players improve their skills and give them a chance to practice the strategies we've been working on. Al Amiri, a team spokesperson, mentioned that this training camp is part of a carefully planned approach by the club. The schedule includes intense training sessions focused on fitness, skill-building, and mental preparation. Players will have morning and evening practices, along with discussions about game strategies and tactics. This will help them understand the game better and feel more confident when they play. The main goals of the camp are not just about getting physically fit. We also want to strengthen team unity, develop a skilled group that can follow Coach Tarek El-Sayed's plans, and create a good mix of new players and seasoned members. This will help us start the season strong and ready to compete. Revitalized aspirations Tarek Al Sayed explained that Egypt was chosen to host the training camp because it has excellent sports facilities and offers a variety of teams for friendly matches. This creates a great environment for trying out new ideas and improving the team's skills. He also shared his happiness with the players' dedication and discipline from the very start of their preparations. The camp shows that the club is serious about preparing well and believes in the need to invest in the team's technical and tactical skills. This is all aimed at building a strong team that can compete effectively and meet the hopes of its fans in the upcoming season. Acknowledging institutional support Ahmed Al Amiri expressed his appreciation for the support from the Board of Directors, led by Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Mutawa, as well as the hard work of the Technical Committee in creating a great environment for success. He highlighted the club's ambition to deliver an outstanding performance this season, reflecting its proud history and importance in the country's sports scene.
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Gulf Today
Artists and athletes gather in UAE for festival of unity
Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the Global Encounters Festival 2025 on July 21. To run till July 27, it is a gathering of more than 4,000 young artists and athletes from over 50 countries, uniting in the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and shared humanity. The opening ceremony, held at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Prince Aly Mohammed Aga Khan, alongside over 25,000 visitors from around the world. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the Global Encounters Festival 2025 takes place across multiple venues in Dubai, featuring a programme of art showcases, sports competitions, concerts, exhibitions, and immersive cultural experiences. In his keynote address, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said: 'I am pleased to express our country's great pleasure in welcoming so many festival participants from around the world. I am especially pleased to warmly greet and welcome His Highness Prince Aly Mohammed Aga Khan and His Highness Prince Amyn Mohammed Aga Khan. Their respected worldview, and their strong commitment to preserving our Islamic heritage and traditions, are well known. Their presence will certainly enrich this festival.' He added: 'You have assembled in Dubai under our country's welcoming Arab tent that has sheltered a peaceful and innovative population at this global crossroads. This city and this country are showing the world that people from different nations, different ethnicities, different religions, and different cultures can live and work together in peace and harmony, in an environment marked by understanding, respect, and shared values.' Sheikh Nahyan emphasised the UAE's national ethos of coexistence and the role of arts and sports in building bridges across cultures. 'Under the wise leadership of His Highness the President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,' he said, 'we in the UAE cherish the bridges that sports and the arts build between peoples and nations.' Reflecting on his past attendance at the Jubilee Games 2016, he said that he was glad to see how much the festival had Festival reflects long-standing engagement between the Ismaili community, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Gulf region through collaboration with public and private institutions. In a recorded video message, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan expressed his thanks to the government of the United Arab Emirates for welcoming his community to the city of Dubai, and for the long-standing partnership between the UAE and Ismaili Imamat. He said: 'To fulfil our potential as creatives or athletes is to realise a blessing. Sport and arts are not only beautiful, they have the unique power to build bridges.' Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, said that 'hosting the Global Encounters Festival aligns with Dubai's wider economic agenda, reinforcing our role as a global platform for innovation, cultural exchange, and human capital development.' Mahir Julfar, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) said: 'With over 25,000 visitors expected, DWTC is well-positioned to deliver a world-class experience that matches the ambition and energy of this remarkable youth-led gathering.' 'The Global Encounters Festival exemplifies the spirit of unity, service and excellence that the Ismaili community aspires to worldwide,' said Malik Talib, Chair of the Ismaili Leaders' International Forum (LIF). The Festival also aims to empower the next generation of changemakers by nurturing artists, athletes and civic leaders, who not only pursue excellence, but also drive social impact, climate action, and intercultural understanding. Celebrating diversity across more than 200 nationalities, the Festival aligns with the UAE's Year of Community 2025, promoting inclusion, sustainability and innovation as universal values. From electric rideshares to zero-waste venues and a global tree-planting campaign, sustainability is a cornerstone of the Festival. Thousands of participants are supporting the Roots for Change initiative, pledging to plant 1 million trees globally in alignment with Net Zero 2030 goals.
Gulf Today
29-07-2025
- Gulf Today
Quintet set to make Middle East debut with team-based grappling event in Dubai
Japanese martial arts promotion Quintet has announced its official entry into the Middle East market, with its inaugural regional event, Quintet 5, is set to take place in Dubai on October 23, 2025. The announcement came during a press conference held at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, as part of Fight Week — a major sporting initiative featuring international MMA events hosted in the UAE capital. The event was led by Kazushi Sakuraba, Quintet's legendary founder and one of the most iconic figures in Japanese MMA history, alongside Tarek Suleiman, Quintet's regional partner and veteran martial artist. Yanagisawa, General Manager of Quintet Japan, also attended the announcement. The event drew wide regional and international media coverage and was attended by prominent figures from the MMA community, including Ali Al Qaisi, one of the Arab world's most accomplished featherweights, and internationally renowned referee Marc Goddard. Known for its distinctive five-on-five team grappling format, Quintet eliminates points and judges entirely — matches end in submission or draw. The format blends tactical team strategy with traditional martial arts spirit and has already gained significant traction in Japan and the United States. 'For Japanese martial artists, Abu Dhabi is a name we've always held in high regard,' said Sakuraba, who was met with applause as he addressed the crowd. 'We watched from afar how the UAE embraced jiu-jitsu and elevated it into something bigger than just a sport — a cultural and national movement. To launch Quintet here is not only symbolic, but meaningful. The people understand the art. The government supports it. And the athletes here live it.' Suleiman, a former Quintet competitor himself, emphasized the vision behind this move. 'This isn't just a one-off. We're here to build something lasting,' he said. 'The UAE has become a global destination for combat sports, and now it will be the home for team-based grappling in the region. Through Quintet, we aim to provide athletes with a new platform — one that prioritizes cooperation, strategy, and team pride.' Quintet 5 in Dubai marks the start of a broader roadmap to establish a sustainable grappling ecosystem in the Middle East. Teams from across the MENA region are expected to participate in the October event, as organizers work toward building a long-term league and talent pipeline that aligns with the region's growing combat sports ambitions.
