GAZA: Trading jabs and punches, young Palestinian girls competed in a female boxing tournament on Friday in the Gaza Strip, where the sport is mostly popular with men.
Friday’s contest featured female boxers as young as seven years old, and was attended by dozens of spectators.
One boxer, Hala Ayoub, said she hoped the contest would show people that boxing is not only a man’s sport.
“My ambition is to become a famous boxer and to raise the flag of Palestine and fight in local and international contests,” said Ayoub, 15.
“It (boxing) taught me how to defend myself, and how to release bad energy,” she said.
The number of female boxers in Gaza has doubled in the past six months since an initial 18-member all-girl team was formed. It now has 45 athletes, according to captain Osama Ayob.
Ali Abdel-Shafi, deputy chairman of the Palestinian Boxing Federation, said some of the girls from Friday’s competition would be selected to join the Palestinians’ boxing team and take part in a competition in Kuwait in February.
“This is the first championship I’ve taken part in...There is tension because of the audience and the noise but I am excited as well,” said Malak Mesleh, 15.
Women make up half of the Gaza Strip’s two million people.
Citing security concerns with Gaza’s ruling group Hamas, Israel and Egypt have long maintained border restrictions.
Palestinian girls compete in a rare Gaza boxing contest
https://arab.news/jpsep
Palestinian girls compete in a rare Gaza boxing contest
- One boxer, Hala Ayoub, said she hoped the contest would show people that boxing is not only a man’s sport
- “My ambition is to become a famous boxer and to raise the flag of Palestine,” said Ayoub
‘Fantastic 3 days’: Over 3,500 young footballers play in Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup
- Record-breaking seventh edition of region’s largest youth tournament attracted more than 8,000 people across 3 days
- U-16 Boys Cup winners Oman’s Al-Seeb win a trip to a City Football Group club, while U-14 Girls Plate winners, Singapore’s Resistencia, earn a 3-day coaching clinic from City Football Schools coaches in lucky draw
ABU DHABI: The seventh Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup has been hailed as a “fantastic three days” by a former club stalwart, with over 3,500 young boys and girls taking part at Zayed Sports City.
The region’s biggest annual youth football tournament had more than 244 teams from 18 countries including professional clubs Al-Jazira, Baniyas, Al-Wahda, Al-Ain, Melbourne City, and Manchester City.
Almost 8,000 spectators witnessed the action in the five age groups for boys, and three for girls.
Nedum Onuoha, former Manchester City defender and Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup ambassador, said: “It was a fantastic three days at the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup 2026.
“So many young boys and girls from around the world enjoyed this growing youth football platform. Beyond the results, the competitors played with smiles, expressing themselves, supporting one another, and creating memories that will stay with them long after the final whistle.
The eight cup competition winners were then placed in a draw to claim a trip to a City Football Group club, where they will train, and watch the first team in action.
Boys’ under-16 winners Al-Seeb were the lucky team drawn. It was a repeat success for the Oman team that won the same age group last year, and won a trip to Manchester, where they trained at the Etihad Campus and watched the men’s first team play.
Additionally, following a lucky draw, the under-14 Girls Plate winners —Singapore’s Resistencia FC — will receive a three-day football clinic from City Football Schools coaches.
For the first time, the tournament expanded to three days to accommodate the increasing demand from around the world, and delivered 2,562 goals in 1,435 matches.
Another expansion for this edition was the participation of 44 girls’ teams across three age groups, which showcased the game’s growth in the UAE, Middle East, and globally.
“The standard of football was exceptionally high,” Onuoha added. “As a former professional, I understand the importance of grassroots football.
“Tournaments like the Abu Dhabi Cup play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of footballers, providing young players with valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and test themselves in a competitive environment.”
Players, coaches, and families also got the chance to watch Manchester City’s 10-1 victory against Exeter City in the FA Cup third-round clash.
Simon Hewitt, head of operations in the Middle East and North Africa, City Football Group and the tournament director, said the contest shows how the game “unites people from all over the world.
“Young people of varying ages and nationalities came together, had fun, learned about different cultures, and played some great football.”
