Latest news with #IssaHilalAlHazami
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah to host the first Badminton World Cup 2025
This World Cup will showcase badminton in a unique outdoor stadium that will be built in Sharjah, with the exact location still to be revealed. A total of 72 players from 12 different teams across five continents will compete. Each continent will be represented by the following number of teams: Asia (3 teams), Europe (3 teams), Africa (2 teams), North and South America (2 teams), Oceania (1 team), and the host country, the UAE (1 team). The tournament will feature three main competitions: a team relay, a women's triathlon, and a men's triathlon. To qualify for the World Cup, teams need to participate in four regional tournaments around the globe: the Americas Championship in Lima, Peru, from April 12-13; the African Championship in Accra, Ghana, from July 3-6; the Asian/Oceanic Championship in Port Dickson, Malaysia, from August 8-10; and the European Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan, from September 5-7. The best team in the team relay from each regional tournament will earn a spot in the World Cup, while the triathlon teams will be formed by players from these qualifying teams. Notably, Venezuela and Brazil qualified last April! Issa Hilal Al Hazami, the Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah for his support of sports and athletes. He highlighted that hosting the upcoming badminton tournament in Sharjah will boost the city's reputation worldwide, as it has a strong history of successfully organizing sports events. The Council aims to ensure the tournament is a success and to promote badminton among the local community, encouraging people to participate in both regional and international competitions. Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, the President of the Badminton World Federation, shared her excitement about Sharjah being chosen to host this important tournament's first edition. She views this as a significant step towards creating a comprehensive international badminton schedule by 2025. Leeswadtrakul mentioned that this tournament provides a unique chance to expand interest in badminton globally, especially for players from developing countries. It aims to create an inclusive environment where everyone can compete. She believes that the event will not only feature top-level competition but also offer a fun atmosphere with various recreational activities, appealing to new fans. With Sharjah's experienced track record in organizing beach sports, she is confident that the Sharjah Sports Council will make the first tournament a memorable one. Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation, expressed pride in the UAE, particularly Sharjah, for being the first to host this world championship. She called it a historic moment for the sport and reaffirmed the Federation's commitment to enhancing the country's reputation in the global sports arena. Al Jasmi is optimistic that this championship will uncover new talent, inspire future generations, and solidify the UAE's status as a major sport destination.'
Sharjah 24
11-06-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah opens door to baseball championships
During the meeting, both sides explored avenues of cooperation to promote the sport and organise championships, in light of its significant popularity among Asian communities. The initiative also aims to add a new promotional platform for Sharjah, enhancing its regional and international presence through sports. A Global Brand with Regional Aspirations Baseball United was founded in November 2022 and supports 20 globally renowned teams, including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox. As a recognised international brand, its championships attract millions of viewers around the world—in Asia, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Latin America. The organisation is now on its way to launching the first professional league involving teams from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Indian subcontinent. Foundations for the Game in Sharjah During the meeting, discussions were held on establishing a dedicated headquarters for the sport and developing baseball fields as a foundation for spreading the game. Plans include organising local competitions and hosting international championships in the future. The two sides also explored initiatives to launch youth academies and school programmes to scout talent, as well as leveraging the global league platform to market Sharjah as a sports, tourism, and educational destination for baseball. Sharjah's Competitive Edge Following the meeting, His Excellency Issa Hilal Al Hazami emphasised that Sharjah possesses the right environment to promote baseball, especially considering its popularity among Asian communities. He pointed out that the sport shares many similarities with cricket—a game that already holds a distinguished position in the Emirate, thanks to its large fan base and the iconic Sharjah Stadium, which hosts international championships. He stressed that incorporating baseball and participating in the Asian league would ensure guaranteed promotion and significant exposure for the emirate. Optimism for a Fruitful Partnership The head of the visiting delegation expressed his gratitude to the Chairman of the Council for the warm welcome and the positive outcomes of the meeting. He also conveyed his optimism about the anticipated collaboration between the two sides and the transformative impact this partnership could have on the sport both locally and internationally.
Gulf Today
07-06-2025
- 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.
Sharjah 24
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Club wins Karate Cup and Excellence Shield
A historic season of dominance The club enjoyed a remarkable season, winning 15 cups and claiming first place in seven tournaments. They were also awarded the General League Shield three times, along with multiple excellence shields, including the Kata and Kumite Shield, the Men's General Excellence Shield, and the Technical and Administrative Excellence Shield. Sharjah Club set a new record by scoring 1,007 points, becoming the first club in UAE karate history to reach this milestone. Leadership and recognition Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, awarded the General Shield in a ceremony attended by Khalid Issa Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Sports Club, and Engineer Sulaiman Abdulrahman Al Hajri, Head of Individual Games. Khalid Al Midfa praised the continuous achievements of the club's karate team, stating the Board of Directors' commitment to supporting all sports at the club and maintaining the legacy established by previous leadership. Strategic planning and player development Engineer Al Hajri highlighted that the victory reflects years of strategic planning, saying the Individual Games Department has been implementing development plans for over five years. These efforts aim to nurture talent and supply the UAE national teams with top-performing athletes. He emphasised the role of the Sharjah Sports Council, its vision for elevating individual sports, and the unwavering support from the club's leadership, which has been key to the consistent excellence demonstrated by Sharjah's karate champions. Celebrating excellence The ceremony was attended by officials from the UAE Karate Federation, including Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Competitions Committee; Mohammed Al Shehhi, Financial Director; Mohammed Abbas, Executive Director; and Hisham Serry, Technical Director, who celebrated the crowning of Sharjah's 'Karate Kings' at the season's conclusion.
Gulf Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Second edition of UAE School Games concludes on successful note in Dubai
The finale of the second edition of the UAE School Games successfully concluded at the Dubai Exhibition Center (DEC) in Expo City Dubai. The tournament was organised by the Ministry of Sports and the UAE National Olympic Committee, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and various other sports federations and local educational authorities. The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; hanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports; Mohammed Hamza Al Qassim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education; Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports; Aisha Miran, Director General of Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dr. Huda Al Matroushi, President of the UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation; Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation; along with several presidents of national sports federations and officials from the nation's sports and education sectors and related fields. During the ceremony, Falasi honoured the 1,365 male and female students who emerged as victors in various competitions from among 2,686 finalists. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, emphasised the crucial role that the UAE School Games Championship plays in shaping the future of sports in the country. His Excellency stated: "It serves as a platform for identifying and nurturing young talent from an early age. This initiative reflects our dedication to integrating sports into the school environment, encouraging healthy competition, and instilling core values such as discipline, teamwork, and national belonging in our youth. Throughout the championship, we have seen remarkable examples of emerging talents that signal a bright future for Emirati sports." He further emphasised that the School Games reflect a comprehensive model of collaboration between the sports and education sectors, aligning with the UAE's vision to closely integrate athletics within the academic space. He said: 'We are committed to implementing systematic programs for talent identification in partnership with the UAE National Olympic Committee. These efforts are central to achieving one of our key strategic objectives—to have over 30 Emirati athletes compete in the Olympic Games by 2032. We are already making strong progress toward achieving this ambition.' He expressed his gratitude to all partners, including educational and sports organizations, as well as parents, for their vital role in the championship's success. He conveyed pride in the achievements made so far and emphasized the importance of continued efforts to establish school sports as a strong foundation for the long-term development of athletes. He noted that this ongoing dedication is essential for cultivating a new generation of athletes who will enhance the UAE's standing in the international sports arena. The finals showcased intense competition among students aged 9 to 17, representing 875 schools from various emirates across the UAE. Participants competed in 12 sports disciplines, including athletics, swimming, fencing, badminton, judo, taekwondo, archery, football, jiu-jitsu, shooting, chess, and table tennis. The competition concluded with a celebratory awards ceremony, honoring the top three performers in each sport. A total of 1,365 students received gold, silver, and bronze medals in recognition of their outstanding achievements. The UAE School Games welcomes participation from both public and private schools across the country. It is held in three stages. The first stage occurs within schools, where students engage in training and compete in various sports. The second stage takes place at the emirate level, where schools compete locally within their respective emirates. The final stage is when top-performing students from each emirate come together to compete for medals, ultimately determining the championship winners. Medal winners from the School Games Championship in selected sports are then invited to take part in athlete assessment and development programs organized by the Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Level Sports. These evaluations aim to assess the athlete's speed, strength, endurance, potential, and physical characteristics such as height and weight. Based on the results, athletes receive customized training and educational programs to support their development. The Committee, in collaboration with the relevant national sports federations, continually monitors each athlete's progress with the goal of preparing them to represent the UAE in international and Olympic competitions. The primary goal of the School Games is to discover and nurture sporting talent within UAE schools, creating skilled athletes through training and development programs led by the Ministry of Sports. This initiative aims to empower young athletes to strengthen national teams and play a key role in advancing the National Sports Strategy 2031 objectives.
