Latest news with #SultanBinMuhammadAlQasimi
Gulf Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Giri wins Sharjah Masters Chess Championship
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports of the UAE, attended the closing ceremony of the 8th Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship. Organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the tournament featured 350 players from 60 countries. Dr. Falasi emphasized that the championship underscores the UAE's prominent position in the global sports arena, particularly in chess, a game that combines intellect, strategy, and talent. He stated, 'This tournament has solidified its status as a global platform attracting world champions and offering emerging talents the opportunity to gain experience and learn diverse playing styles at the highest levels.' He added, 'The significant participation and exceptional organization reflect the commitment of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and the Sharjah Sports Council to advancing the sport and reinforcing Sharjah's role as an international hub for chess. The fruitful collaboration between various governmental and private entities contributed to delivering an outstanding edition by all standards.' He commended all efforts behind the tournament's success, affirming that the Ministry of Sports prioritizes supporting initiatives that enhance the UAE's stature in hosting global championships and preparing a generation of local champions capable of excelling internationally. The closing ceremony and awards presentation were attended by Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Hamid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club and President of the Arab Chess Federation; Taryam Matar Taryam, President of the UAE Chess Federation; Essa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; and numerous sports figures. The event also featured the announcement of the winners of the Arab Chess Federation's Translation and Composition Award and the honoring of the award's jury committee. Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri clinched the Masters title after securing 7 points out of 9 rounds, marking the first time a European player has won the championship. Serbian Grandmaster Aleksandar Indjic and top-seeded Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov both scored 6.5 points, with Indjic taking second place and Abdusattorov finishing third on tiebreaks. Winners of the B and C categories were also honored during the ceremony. Sheikh Dr. Khalid expressed profound gratitude to Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his unwavering support of sports and athletes, and for his patronage of the championship. He also thanked Dr. Falasi for attending the closing ceremony, as well as Hazami and Taryam Matar Taryam for their continuous support of the clubs. He affirmed that the championship achieved numerous gains on technical, administrative, and organizational levels, attributing the professional organization to the dedicated efforts of the working team. The tournament left a significant impact on participating players, including those who secured top positions and those who attained international titles. Hazami noted, 'The championship showcased high-level performances and recorded unprecedented participation, with players from 60 countries, underscoring its global reputation. We take pride in organizing a tournament of such professional caliber and extend our gratitude to the club's management, led by Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Hamid Al Qasimi, and the organizing committee. Importantly, each edition of the championship reveals new talents and heralds the emergence of future stars.'
Gulf Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Giri and Abdusattorov share lead as Sharjah Masters surpasses 1m views
The 8th edition of the Sharjah International Masters Chess Championship, organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has officially surpassed one million views across social media platforms and international chess websites. Abdallah Murad Al Mazmi, Tournament Director, attributed this milestone to the global interest in the event, which features 350 players from 60 countries — making it a truly international competition. He noted that the daily broadcast of matches on specialized global platforms draws over 250,000 views per day, with India leading in online engagement due to the country's strong player representation and deep-rooted chess culture. Al Mazmi added that the presence of many internationally titled players significantly enhanced the tournament's prestige. The Sharjah Masters is also officially recognized by FIDE, allowing participants to earn qualifying points for the World Cup. In a major achievement, China's Huang Renjie secured the title of International Master after earning 3.5 points — with five draws and one victory — achieving his final norm. He becomes the second player in this edition to earn a title, following Kazakhstan's Edgar Mamedov, who was awarded the Grandmaster title. This marks the first time in the tournament's history that two players have earned international titles during the event. Meanwhile, the eighth round of the championship was inaugurated by Dr. Sultan Al Taher, Board Member of the UAE Chess Federation and Head of Technical Affairs, along with Imran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, and Omar Fathi Afana, General Manager of FAST Contracting Company, a sponsor of the tournament. The penultimate round featured intense competition at the top of the leaderboard, as Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri and top-seed Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattorov shared the lead with 6 points. They were closely followed by a group of five players with 5.5 points: Serbians Aleksandar Indjic and Velimir Ivic, Armenian Shant Sargsyan, and Iranians Bardiya Daneshvar and Amin Tabatabaei. Fourteen players, including UAE's Salem Abdulrahman of the Sharjah Cultural Chess Club, trail just behind with 5 points.
Gulf Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
$75,000 prize pool announced for Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship
The organising committee of the Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship—organised by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club has announced an increase in the prize pool for the tournament's eighth edition. To be held under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah— the event will commence on Saturday and continue through May 26. This edition will offer a total prize fund of $75,000 and will feature the participation of 350 male and female players representing 60 countries—marking the highest turnout in the tournament's history. Tournament Director Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi confirmed that the decision to increase the prize pool was made in light of the inclusion of three competitive divisions this year: the main tournament for players rated above 2500, a second tournament for players rated below 2500, and a third for players rated between 1400.
Gulf Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club celebrate a decade of excellence
In a celebration of sporting excellence and national pride, the Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club marked its 10th anniversary with a ceremony that highlighted a decade of groundbreaking achievements—both on and off the mat. Over the past ten years, the club has amassed an astonishing 7,800 medals in local and international competitions, spanning across specialised disciplines including jiu-jitsu, judo, taekwondo, karate, wrestling, mixed martial arts, and even tug of war. These are figures rarely matched by any sports institution in such a short period. The club's success was celebrated in a ceremony held at the Sharjah Sheraton Hotel, under the patronage of the Sharjah Sports Council and themed 'A Decade of Commitment and Inspiration.' The event was graced by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Community Development, who also honored key strategic partners and sponsors. Also in attendance were members of the club's board of directors, community leaders, and sports officials. In his address, Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Club's Board of Directors, revealed that the club now proudly includes over 1,500 athletes, most of whom are Emiratis. Beyond their medal haul, the club has also received 35 national and international honors, establishing their position as a leader in specialised combat sports. Jarwan extended heartfelt thanks to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for his continuous patronage. He also praised the steadfast support of Crown Prince Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, and the Deputy Rulers of Sharjah, all of whom have contributed to the club's transformative journey. "The support of the Sharjah Sports Council was instrumental in helping the club implement its strategic plan and achieve its vision,' Al Jarwan stated. Engineer Hanadi Khalifa Al Kabouri, Executive Director of the club, described the journey as one that began with a dream and became a source of pride for the nation. 'Celebrating 10 years of success is a reflection of a dream that started small, became a bright reality, and evolved into a vision that the entire club family is proud of,' she said. 'It was a journey full of challenges and defining moments that proved one thing: Determination creates miracles.' The celebration underscored not only past achievements but also the club's commitment to nurturing future champions and continuing to represent the UAE on the international stage with honor and distinction.
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship set to begin on May 16
The Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club has announced the launch of the 8th edition of the Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship. The Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship is being organised annually under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 16 to May 26, 2025, attracting over 350 rated players from around the world, including numerous Grandmasters (GMs), International Masters (IMs), and titleholders. In its recent board meeting chaired by Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, the Club's Board of Directors confirmed the formation of the tournament organising committee. Imran Abdullah Al Nuaimi has been appointed as Chairman of the organizing committee, Abdullah Murad as tournament director, and Faisal Al Hammadi as chief arbiter and Head of the Technical Committee. Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi expressed his profound gratitude to Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his unwavering support of sports, especially chess, and his consistent patronage of the event. He emphasized that this prestigious backing places a significant responsibility on the organizers to maintain the championship's growing reputation on the international chess circuit, with Sharjah's name now resonating prominently across the global chess community. He further thanked the Sharjah Sports Council for its ongoing support, highlighting that hosting high-profile tournaments contributes immensely to the technical development of players, the administrative and organizational capacities of officials, and the nurturing of a highly skilled cadre of national arbiters and organizers. Sheikh Dr. Khalid also noted that this edition of the Sharjah Masters has witnessed an unprecedented response, with over 350 registered players to date, including a large number of Grandmasters, International Masters, and past champions. Registration remains open, and the remarkable turnout underscores the tournament's significant status within the FIDE-rated global chess calendar.
