Latest news with #AhmedHamdanAlZeyoudi
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Historic treble for FMAC in 2024–2025 Taekwondo general excellence shields
In an exceptional achievement that reaffirms its leadership in the UAE taekwondo scene, the Fujairah Martial Arts Club (FMAC) clinched three of the most prestigious general excellence shields for the 2024–2025 season—continuing its streak of victories for the seventh consecutive year. This season saw the UAE Taekwondo Federation introduce new categories for the Excellence Shield, including the Men's General Excellence Shield, Women's General Excellence Shield, and the Overall General Excellence Shield. Fujairah Martial Arts Club succeeded in winning all three shields, becoming the first Emirati club in history to claim first place in all categories in a single season—a historic feat that reflects the level of professionalism and dedication within the club. The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of several prominent figures, including Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, President of the UAE Taekwondo Federation, Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, Khalid Issa Al Midfa, President of Sharjah Sports Club, and Suleiman Al Hajri, President of Sharjah Individual Games Club as well as a number of club presidents and key sports leaders in the country, giving the event a formal and celebratory atmosphere that underscored the significance of this national sporting achievement. Nader Abu Al-Shawish, Director of the Fujairah Martial Arts Club, expressed his pride in this achievement, stating that it reflects the sustainability the club has worked to instill since its inception. He emphasized that the win is a practical embodiment of the vision of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah and President of the Club, to establish Fujairah as a leading platform for sports and excellence at both national and regional levels. 'We believe that success is only achieved through teamwork and collective effort. I extend my gratitude to the technical, administrative, and medical teams—and everyone who contributed to this achievement—for their dedication, commitment, and high competitive spirit throughout the season's events,' he added. With these results, the Fujairah Martial Arts Club continues to paint a bright picture for Emirati sports, remaining a role model in developing champions and nurturing talent. Operating under a fully professional system, the club reinforces sustainability and motivates continued success in upcoming seasons.
Gulf Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Stage set for Fujairah 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships
More than 800 young athletes from around the world are set to compete in the Middle East's first-ever World Taekwondo Cadet Championships, which will be held in Fujairah from Saturday until May 14. The landmark event will be under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, featuring participation from over 811 athletes representing 93 countries. Since its inaugural edition in 2014, the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships has served as a vital platform for athletes aged 12 to 14 to gain experience at a major international event, hone their skills, and compete for prestigious titles on the global stage. Often considered the launching pad for future taekwondo stars, the 2025 edition in Fujairah is poised to be the largest and most significant since the first championship was held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The details of the region's first World Taekwondo Cadet Championships were disclosed in a press conference held at the Al Bahar Hotel and Resort in Fujairah on Thursday. Hosted by the Fujairah Martial Arts Club under the auspices of the UAE Taekwondo Federation, the championships will take place at the Zayed Sports Complex. The higher organising committee of the championships emphasised their full commitment to international standards set by World Taekwondo to ensure a world-class event that reflects the highest levels of professionalism and excellence. Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, President of the UAE Taekwondo Federation, member of World Taekwondo, and Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee, affirmed that hosting the championship in Fujairah aligns with the vision of the Crown Prince to elevate the emirate's status as a global sports destination. He noted that all preparations are proceeding according to the highest standards to deliver an exceptional event that honours the UAE's reputation. He added, 'We are proud of this achievement and will work with all partners to ensure the event's success in every aspect.' This year's event has drawn an impressive 807 athletes and 467 officials from 89 Member National Associations, along with participants from the World Taekwondo Refugee Team, Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), and athletes competing under the World Taekwondo flag. Dr. Chungwon Choue, President of World Taekwondo, expressed his delight in selecting Fujairah to host this prestigious global event. He praised the UAE's advanced infrastructure and unwavering support for sports, which makes it an ideal destination for major international tournaments. He also noted that the Fujairah World Taekwondo Cadet Championships 2025 is the largest of its kind globally in terms of participation, with over 800 male and female athletes, and highlighted the notable presence of the Refugee Team, which gives the event a humanitarian dimension that transcends competition. Dr. Choue highlighted that this championship serves as a crucial platform for unearthing young talent and elevating taekwondo's global stature by bringing together diverse cultures through the power of sport. The Fujairah 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships will include competitions in 10 weight categories for both boys and girls. Male athletes will compete in divisions ranging from under 33kg to over 65kg, while female athletes will compete in divisions from under 29kg to over 59kg. Nader Abu Shawish, Tournament Director, stated: 'We are immensely proud to host this prestigious event, which represents a significant milestone for both our local sporting community and the wider taekwondo world. 'This championship offers a rare and invaluable opportunity for our young Emirati athletes to test their skills against some of the best competitors from around the globe, helping to elevate their performance and inspire their growth. 'Beyond the competition, our goal is to provide all participants with a truly exceptional sporting experience—one that reflects the UAE's deep commitment to youth development and sporting excellence. This event is also a powerful platform to showcase the incredible talent and potential of our young athletes and to reinforce the UAE's status as a leading destination for world-class sports events,' he added.
Gulf Today
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Arab Taekwondo Cup, Fujairah Taekwondo Championship attract huge number of athletes
With top athletes in the fray, the much-anticipated fifth edition of the Arab Taekwondo Cup will kick off at the Zayed Sports Complex on Wednesday. The event will take place under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah. Arab Taekwondo Cup serves as a prelude to the 12th edition of the Fujairah International Taekwondo Championship, classified as a G2 event, which will commence on February 9. A total of 4,164 male and female athletes from various countries worldwide are set to participate in both tournaments. Earlier, during a press conference held at the Fujairah Martial Arts Club, the organizing committee revealed the tournament details. Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, President of the UAE Taekwondo Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Idriss Al Hilali, President of the Arab Taekwondo Federation from Morocco, Nader Abu Shawish, Director of the Fujairah Martial Arts Club, and Engineer Ali Qassem, Director of the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation, the main sponsor of both championships. The Arab Taekwondo Cup features 1,535 athletes, while the Fujairah International Championship will see the participation of 2,629 athletes from around the world in highly competitive bouts aimed at securing podium finishes. Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, welcomed the participants and emphasized that the event aligns with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to host global sporting events. He highlighted the significant role these tournaments play in enhancing sports and tourism activities in the emirate. He also noted that this edition sets new records with an increased number of participants compared to previous years, adding that the UAE national team will compete with 60 male and female athletes. For his part, Nader Abu Shawish, Tournament Director and Director of the Fujairah Martial Arts Club, confirmed that the competitions will feature champions who have previously won world titles and achieved major international accomplishments in recent years. Additionally, the President of the Arab Taekwondo Federation praised the high level of preparation, the precision of the organization, and the remarkable increase in the number of participants from various Arab countries for the first time.
