UAE sports celebrate major wins in April
Among the highlights was Sharjah Football Club's unprecedented qualifying for the AFC Champions League 2 final, which they achieved by overcoming Saudi Arabia's Al Taawoun. In addition, the UAE under-17 national team qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be hosted in Qatar, following a fantastic performance in the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Success in combat sports
In combat sports, Emirati jiu-jitsu players earned 24 medals in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in London and won the East Coast Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship, defeating Brazil and Colombia. In Muay Thai, the national team won 17 medals at the World Championship in Thailand.
UAE cycling makes headlines
The UAE cycling squad continued to shine, with Slovenian star Tadej Pogačar winning the Tour of Flanders and finishing second in the Paris-Roubaix event, cementing his place among historic contenders.
Gold in snooker and track, bronze in para badminton
Mohammed Shehab won gold in men's snooker at the West Asian Billiards and Snooker Championship in Bahrain, while Maryam Kareem won her second gold medal for the UAE in the 200m in the Asian U-18 Championship in Saudi Arabia. Paralympic athlete Jamal Al-Badawi won bronze in badminton at the Czech International.
Achievements in esports and basketball
The UAE esports team earned bronze at the Arab International Championship for the "League of Legends" game. In basketball, Shabab Al Ahli defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad to win the West Asia Super League–Gulf Region.
Medal haul at the Gulf Beach Games
In the Gulf Beach Games, hosted by Oman, the UAE delegation won 23 medals (8 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze) across eight sports, finishing second overall.
Administrative recognition in basketball
On the administrative front, the Arab Basketball Federation's President, Major General Ismail Al Gergawi, was re-elected by acclamation for a fourth term during its general assembly in Dubai.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sport360
4 hours ago
- Sport360
SHE RUNS 2025: UAE's largest women's running event returns to empower, unite & inspire a new generation
The UAE's most iconic women's fitness event is making a bold comeback under a powerful new identity: SHE RUNS. Reimagined to reflect the spirit of a new generation, the event will take place on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Expo City Dubai, celebrating inclusion, strength, and the collective power of women. Formerly known as the Women's Run, this 12th edition marks more than a name change, it signals a transformative movement toward wellbeing, leadership, and community connection. Participants of all ages and fitness levels, whether running, jogging, or walking, can join across multiple race categories: 1km, 3km, 5km, and 10km. Dedicated tracks for young girls, Emirati women, and People of Determination reflect the event's commitment to diversity and intergenerational participation. 'In embracing inclusivity, SHE RUNS does not just count miles, it counts moments. Each step is a testament to the power of community driving change,' said Dr. Harmeek Singh, Founder and CEO of Plan b Group, the event's organizing partner. This year's edition runs under the unifying banner: 'For Voices. For Connection. For Change.' echoing its alignment with the UAE's Year of the Community. Backed by the Dubai Sports Council and integrated into the Dubai Fitness Challenge 30×30, SHE RUNS is also a strategic partner of the Dubai Active Show, further anchoring its role as a national movement in health and wellness. 'SHE RUNS reflects the very essence of what the Dubai Fitness Challenge is about empowering individuals through movement and bringing communities together in the spirit of wellbeing,' said a spokesperson from the Dubai Sports Council. Returning for 2025 is the high-energy SHE RUNS Power Hour, a pre-race activation featuring motivational talks, dynamic group warm-ups, and outreach programs for schools, universities, and corporate teams. Registration is now open via and Premier Online.
Gulf Today
14 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Sheikh Hamdan witnesses launch of ‘National Service Athlete Programme'
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, witnessed the launch of the 'National Service Athlete Programme,' a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Sports. The 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 tournaments. The 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, Sheikh Hamdan met with recruits forming the programme's first cohort. Sheikh Hamdan 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,' Sheikh Hamdan said. He added, "The launch of the 'National Service Athlete Programme' 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.' 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 Programme' 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 talent. In 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 sports. The 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. WAM
Al Etihad
a day 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.
