Latest news with #NadAlShebaSportsTournament
Gulf Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament raises the bar
The 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament achieved significant technical and organizational successes, cementing its position as the largest sporting event of its kind. 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 tournament is being held annually during the holy month of Ramadan at the 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 "Unlimited Abilities." Several heads and officials of the sports federations whose championships were held during the twelfth edition of the tournament praised the organizational atmosphere, the results, and the tournament's impact on developing Emirati sports. Engineer Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the UAE and Asian Fencing Federations, emphasized that the NAS Sports Tournament has become a prominent landmark in the UAE sports agenda and a major annual event in the Fencing Federation's calendar, thanks to its continuous development and the increasing demand for participation in its competitions. This reinforces its position as one of the largest community sporting events in the region. Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi noted that the participation of more than 80 male and female players from 13 countries in the tournament's fencing competitions reflects the advanced level reached by the tournament, emphasizing the significant technical and promotional impact it has had in expanding participation in various sports, including fencing. 'By organizing the fifth edition of the fencing championship as part of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, which enjoys a large public following, we have succeeded in attracting the interest of many members of the community in this sport.' Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi emphasized that the UAE Fencing Federation attaches special importance to this tournament because it provides unique opportunities for local players to interact with elite international champions. He pointed out that the tournament's prestigious status at the Arab, regional, and international levels, in addition to the distinguished financial prizes, make it an ideal destination for competition and sports development. Major General Dr. Mohammed Al Murr, President of the UAE Athletics Federation, emphasized that the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament represents a fundamental pillar in supporting and promoting athletics, as the road running competitions have succeeded in attracting a large number of participants of various nationalities, including Emiratis and residents. This success reflects the tireless efforts of the tournament organizers to instill a culture of sports and make it a way of life, with a focus on promoting and developing athletics as one of the cornerstones of competitive sports. Major General Al Murr emphasized the federation's commitment to harnessing all its capabilities to ensure the event's success, emphasizing that the partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and all sports and community entities represents the cornerstone in achieving the Federation's strategic objectives. Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation, confirmed the success of the badminton competitions held during the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, which witnessed a large participation of male and female players from both UAE nationals and various nationalities residing in the country. The UAE Badminton Federation President highlighted the Federation's rapid progress since its establishment two and a half years ago, marking its inclusion in the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament as a major milestone alongside other key achievements. She emphasized that featuring badminton in the tournament strengthens its local presence and aligns with the Federation's development plan to expand player participation nationwide. Expressing gratitude to Sheikh Hamdan bin, she praised the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament as a premier event that fosters a sports culture, enhances talent development, and provides athletes with high-level competitive opportunities. She also noted that badminton has greatly benefited from this participation, which supports the "Road to Los Angeles 2028" initiative. Launched by the UAE Badminton Federation, the initiative aims to prepare and qualify Emirati players for the 2028 Olympics, advancing the sport's national and international standing. Dr. Huda Al Matrooshi, President of the UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation, praised the high level of organizational procedures and the exceptional atmosphere witnessed at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, which has become a model to be emulated in the world of sports. In a statement, she said: 'We extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to Sheikh Hamdan for launching this pioneering tournament and his generous patronage and continuous support for sports and athletes. 'We also extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to the Dubai Sports Council and the organizing committee for their great efforts, which resulted in the organization of an exceptional event characterized by magnificence and strength in every detail.' She added: "The UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation's participation for the first time in the NAS Sports Tournament is a qualitative sporting achievement and an important step towards enhancing the status of modern pentathlon on the local and international scene.'
Gulf Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Sheikh Mansoor fetes sponsors and rpartners of NAS Sports Tournament
Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, has expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all national establishments, companies and institutions that sponsored the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, which marked another hugely successful year under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The contributions of the sponsors right through the tournament and their active role in realising the goals of the largest sports tournament of its kind drew lavish praise. The tournament has been instrumental in popularising diverse sporting disciplines amongst the community and enhancing the performance of local athletes by providing a stage for them to compete across a variety of sports alongside top professional and amateur athletes from around across the UAE and the world. Sheikh Mansoor honoured a number of partners and sponsors from government departments, institutions, and companies, presenting each of them a special tournament shield. Partners and sponsors thus feted included Damac Properties, Al Tayer Motors, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, and Dubai Duty Free. Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, also honoured a number of sponsors and partners associated with the tournament, including Insurance Tadawi Healthcare Group, Dubai Police General Command, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Pocari Sweat and Dubai Health. On the final day of the tournament, Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, also honoured supporters, sponsors and partners, including the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, DP World, and Dubai Sports Channel. The tournament, in its 12th edition, witnessed a notable increase in the number of participants, topping 8,000 athletes, male and female, also recording a jump in the number of sporting disciplines across which competitions were held, at 11. The total prize money offered during the tournament also rose to Dhs4.5 million. This included more than Dhs.4 million for winners of various sporting showpieces held over the three weeks of the tournament. The prize money was distributed in such a manner as to encourage all manner of sports, with Dhs1.5 million allocated for the volleyball competition, Dhs.764,000 for the various Padel events, Dhs500,000 for cycling, Dhs370,000 for tug-of-war, Dhs350,000 each for road races and the Obstacle Challenge, Dhs210,000 for wheelchair basketball, Dhs150,000 for Jiu-Jitsu and Dhs60,000 each for fencing, badminton and Laser Run. The annual tournament presents a significant organisational, technical, and logistical challenge as events are held across several locations at the same time with the sprawling Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex as its focal point. Other major venues this year included the Meydan Racecourse along with the streets of Meydan within the Mohammed Bin Rashid City, and the Dubai Club for People of Determination in Al Ghusais. The importance of a well-coordinated operation involving partners and sponsors from various departments and institutions is therefore critical to the success of the organising committee's efforts. The safety and wellbeing of audiences is given paramount importance while at the same time providing an ideal environment for athletes to compete, win, and advance their skills. The focus on developing home-grown talent is equally crucial and the tournament always makes it a point to provide excellent exposure to local competitors to enhance their technical skills and equip them with the big-stage experience for bigger challenges ahead. The tournament also promotes a sporting culture in society while raising awareness about the benefits of an active lifestyle for health, vitality, and the overall happiness of the community. It is worth noting that, over the past 12 years, the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament has attracted nearly 60,000 athletes, both male and female, and amateurs and professionals, from within and outside the country. The competitions down the years have featured 99 different events under various sporting disciplines. The tournament has witnessed remarkable growth each year since starting off with just over 1,500 participants in the inaugural edition in 2013. The second edition hosted more than 3,000 athletes, while there were 4,000 participants in the third edition, 5,000 in the fourth, 6,000 in the sixth and 7,000 in the seventh year. Even during the COVID outbreak, the eighth edition still attracted 2,500 participants, while the next one had more than 6,000 joining in. There were 5,000 participants in the tenth edition, while the eleventh edition registered a record 7,149 male and female athletes. That record was broken at this year's edition as it witnessed more than 8,000 athletes competing across the 11 sporting disciplines.
Khaleej Times
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Nad Al Sheba tournament wins praise for developing Emirati sports, raising level of athletes
The 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament achieved significant technical and organisational successes, cementing its position as the largest sporting event of its kind. 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 tournament is held annually during the holy month of Ramadan at the 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 'Unlimited Abilities'. Several heads and officials of the sports federations whose championships were held during this edition of the tournament praised the organisational atmosphere, the results, and the tournament's impact on developing Emirati sports and raising the level of local athletes by providing them with the opportunity to interact with high-level international athletes and engage in strong competition during this period. This provides numerous sporting benefits, in addition to promoting the practice of sports and attracting families to follow the tournaments. Engineer Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the UAE and Asian Fencing Federations, said that the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament has become a prominent landmark in the UAE sports agenda and a major annual event in the Fencing Federation's calendar, thanks to its continuous development and the increasing demand for participation in its competitions. This reinforces its position as one of the largest community sporting events in the region. Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi noted that the participation of more than 80 men and women players from 13 countries in the tournament's fencing competitions reflects the advanced level reached by the tournament, emphasising the significant technical and promotional impact it has had in expanding participation in various sports, including fencing. 'By organising the fifth edition of the fencing championship as part of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, which enjoys a large public following, we have succeeded in attracting the interest of many members of the community in this sport. We have received increasing applications to participate, and we have also been able to attract many clubs and juniors to this ancient Olympic sport,' Sheikh Salem explained. Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi said that the UAE Fencing Federation attaches special importance to this tournament because it provides unique opportunities for local players to interact with elite international champions. He pointed out that the tournament's prestigious status at the Arab, regional, and international levels, in addition to the distinguished financial prizes, make it an ideal destination for competition and sports development. Major General Dr Mohammed Al Murr, President of the UAE Athletics Federation, said that the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament represents a fundamental pillar in supporting and promoting athletics, as the road running competitions have succeeded in attracting a large number of participants of various nationalities, including Emiratis and residents. This success reflects the tireless efforts of the tournament organisers to instill a culture of sports and make it a way of life, with a focus on promoting and developing athletics as one of the cornerstones of competitive sports. Major General Al Murr added that the federation's commitment to harnessing all its capabilities to ensure the event's success, showed that the partnership with the Dubai Sports Council and all sports and community entities represents the cornerstone in achieving the federation's strategic objectives. He added that the federation's ambition goes beyond simply organising events; it seeks to achieve a qualitative shift in the level of athletics by promoting pioneering initiatives, honing national talent, and consolidating the country's position as a global sports destination capable of hosting major tournaments. Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation, confirmed the success of the badminton competitions held during the 12th edition of the tournament, which witnessed a large participation of male and female players from both UAE nationals and various nationalities residing in the country. She said: 'The federation has been officially established for two and a half years, and our inclusion for the first time in the list of sports at the tournament is our greatest achievement, in addition to the significant accomplishments we have achieved in this short period.' Al Jasmi explained that including badminton in the tournament's schedule enhances the sport's local standing and supports the federation's development plan, increasing the number of players across the country. The President of the UAE Badminton Federation praised the significant role played by the organisers in motivating members of the community to adopt sports as a way of life, enhancing talent discovery programmes, and providing them with the opportunity to participate at a high level of competition and achieve their ambitions. This tournament is one of the best sporting events in the UAE and a real opportunity to advance the level of players. Al Jasmi said that badminton has gained several benefits from the tournament, especially since this participation falls within the framework of the 'Road to Los Angeles 2028' initiative launched by the UAE Badminton Federation, which aims to prepare and develop Emirati badminton players with Olympic potential and qualify a number of male and female players to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Dr Huda Al Matrooshi, President of the UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation, praised the high level of organisational procedures and the exceptional atmosphere witnessed at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, which has become a model to be emulated in the world of sports. In a statement, she said: 'We extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to Sheikh Hamdan for launching this pioneering tournament and his generous patronage and continuous support for sports and athletes. We also extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to the Dubai Sports Council and the organising committee for their great efforts, which resulted in the organisation of an exceptional event characterised by magnificence and strength in every detail.' Dr Al Matrooshi added: "The UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation's participation for the first time in the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament is a qualitative sporting achievement and an important step towards enhancing the status of modern pentathlon on the local and international scene. We are proud of this participation, which has been widely attended by athletes of both genders and at various levels. This reflects the youth's passion for this Olympic sport and contributes significantly to spreading it and expanding its practice among our young men and women." Dr Al Matrooshi emphasised that the tournament's resounding success in attracting elite athletes and providing a unique sporting experience is clear evidence of the organisational excellence and integrated efforts that contributed to the realisation of this prominent event.'
Gulf Today
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Al Tadawi 1 win Volleyball Championship as 12th NAS Sports Tournament concludes
Hot favourites Al Tadawi 1 delivered a resounding final performance to swamp Al Hilal 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-21) to be crowned volleyball champions on the concluding night of the 12th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament at a jam-packed indoor stadium at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex on Thursday. Egged on by a huge, vociferous crowd supporting both teams in tandem, Al Tadawi 1 — made up of players from top Russian outfit, Dynamo Moscow — left nothing to chance as they played a totally controlled game to outdo Al Hilal in three straight sets. Al Hilal did seem to get the bearings in during the opening set as they matched Al Tawadi 1 point for point. But the closest they came was when they were tied at 23-23, only to see the unstoppable boys from Russia take it away 25-23. Al Hilal tried to fight back in the next set, only to see outside hitter Anton Semyshev come up with a match-defining performance of two serves, three blocks and the honour of being the top scorer on the night with 17 points as Al Tadawi 1 powered away to win the next two sets, 25-20 and 25-21. This was a worthy finale to the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, the largest sporting event of its kind. 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 tournament is held annually during the holy month of Ramadan at the 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 'Unlimited Abilities'. The winners were honoured by Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, in the presence of Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai; Abdullah Bin Damithan, CEO and General Manager of DP World in the GCC; Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council and Hassan Al Mazrouei, Tournament Director. The Al Tadawi 1 team received the gold medals and the tournament trophy, along with a cash prize of Dhs600,000. Al Hilal, mostly represented by players from Italy's Grottazzolina team, received their silver medals and a cash award of Dhs500,000. Al Ameed had to stay content with the bronze medal after having defeated Al Samawi 3-1, the previous night. There were a handful of individual awards bestowed on the final night with Al Hilal's Andrea Marquespo winning the Best Receiver award, while Al Tadawi 1's Maxim Sabshkov won the 'Best Server' prize and Al Tadawi 1's Dmitry Zhuk taking the award for the 'Best Blocker'. Outstanding for his scoring throughout the competition, Anton Gavarina from Al Samawi walked away with the award for the 'Best Hitter', while Al Hilal's Dusan Petkovic was adjudged the 'Best Scorer'. Khalfan Belhoul, on behalf of the organizing committee, paid tribute to Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al Marri for his unwavering support. He also honored key sponsors like DP World and Dubai Sports Channel, along with referees, officials, and administrative staff who contributed to the event's success. Padel competition concludes: Pablo Arriber and Cesar Freire won the UAE Padel Federation Local 20 Championship after defeating the pairing of Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Padel Federation and Javi Santonja in the final match. The winners were honoured by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; Khalfan Belhoul, and Hassan Al Mazrouei. The ceremony was also attended by Dubai Sports Ambassadors Bacary Sagna, former French national team player, Arsenal and Manchester City Football Club, and winner of the English Premier League and FA Cup titles; Fadi El Khatib; and Eric Abidal, former French national team and Barcelona star and current CEO of Al Wasl Club. The 12th annual tournament featured over 8,000 athletes competing in 11 Olympic and community sports, including two newly introduced events. This year's lineup included running, cycling, volleyball, padel, tug-of-war, fencing, jiu-jitsu, wheelchair basketball, and obstacle course. The prize fund was raised to a record Dhs4.5 million, covering team awards and public prizes.
Gulf Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
National Guard retain Tug-of-War crown, Al Tadawi 1 set up title clash with Al Hilal
The National Guard created some history of their own as they successfully defended their Tug-of-War crown at the 12th Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament being held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex. Arguably the largest sporting event of its kind that has been 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, this tournament is held annually during the holy month of Ramadan under directives of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council. The competition, under the slogan 'Limitless Abilities', was attended by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Bin Saif Al Sharqi, Vice President of the International Body Building Federation and President of the Emirates Body Building Federation; Major General Khalifa Rashid Al Hamli, Director of the Office of the Minister of Defence; Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council; and Hassan Al Mazrouei, Tournament Director. Fully aware of the formidable challenge of defending their title in the Government Departments and Institutions category, the National Guard started strong, taking the first round for a 1-0 lead. However, the Ministry of Defence responded swiftly, claiming the second round and setting up a thrilling decider. The third round was close with the Ministry of Defence digging in deep to hold the defending champions at bay, till a crucial tug helped the Natural Guard successfully hold on to their title for yet another year. Earlier, the Land Forces team took third place after defeating the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Defence team 2-0. In the Junior category, Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club edged past Sharjah Sports Council 2-1 to claim victory, while A25 Gym secured third place with a 2-0 win over Sharjah Academy for Police Sciences. In the Community category, Truss General Trading triumphed over Al Asifa 2-0, while Al Kawaser took third place, defeating IFBB Academy by the same score. Meanwhile, Al Tadawi 1 will meet Al Hilal in the final of the Volleyball Championship that will officially bring the curtains down on the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, late on Thursday. Watched by Abdullah Al Darmaki, President of the UAE Volleyball Association, and Stanislav Shevchenko, President of the Russian Volleyball Federation, both teams took the last step into the final in contrasting styles. Al Tadawi 1 secured an easy 3-0 win against Al Samawi, while Al Hilal overcame a minor hitch before securing a 3-1 win against Al Ameed in the second semi-final. Al Tadawi 1 were always in control with their outside hitter Anton Semyshev in top gear with 14 points, while opposite Maksim Sapozhkov gave full support with 12 points. Al Samawi tried to make a contest out of the match with Egor Bogachev and Mubarak Al Mansouri rising to the occasion. However, the Al Tadawi 1 firepower was too much to handle for the team largely consisting of players from Bani Yas Club, Abu Dhabi. In the second semi-final, Al Hilal felt the initial sting after losing the opening set 22-25 against Al Ameed. After that they remained in full control winning the next three sets, 25-23, 25-17 and 25-18 to earn the right to move into an engrossing final on Thursday. Tadawi 1, consisting of players mostly from Dynamo Moscow— past winners of the European Volleyball Federation Cup on four occasions and champions of the Russian Volleyball Championship nine times — have been the standout team during the course of their unbeaten march to the final. Al Hilal, featring players from Italy's Grottazzolina, is expecting to make an impression when they come up against a totally different school of volleyball on Thursday. 'Going by the form of the two teams, we can surely hope for a close final on Thursday,' Al Hilal coach Ortenzi, admitted. 'We want to stay positive and treat this as any match that is worth fighting for till the end. There is never a doubt in my mind that we can get this done. The only thing is that my players have to believe they can do it,' he added.
