DUBAI: Over 900 female athletes from 14 Arab countries will compete in seven events in Arab Women Sports Tournament that will take place in Sharjah from Feb. 2-12.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday at Al Jawaher Reception & Convention Center in Sharjah, Nada Askar Al Naqbi, head of Executive Committee and manager of Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST), released the schedule for the second edition of Arab Women Sports Tournament.
UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Algeria, Jordan, Palestine, Libya, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq and Egypt are participating in 11-day event.
Nada highlighted the participation of 14 countries, starting with the UAE, which will have six clubs – Sharjah Ladies Club, Bani Yas, Al Shabab, Ajman, Al Wasl, and Abu Dhabi Police club – participating in seven games, including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, fencing, shooting, and archery.
Jordan has entered four clubs, Al Mokawloon, Women Club, The Fencing Club, and the Olympic Club, which will be competing in four games, namely basketball, volleyball, fencing, and athletics.
Six clubs from Bahrain, including Al Moharraq, Bahrain Club, the Fencing Club, Al Ahli, the Shooting Club, and Al Shabab Sportage Club, will be competing in basketball, volleyball, table tennis, fencing, shooting, and athletics at the Tournament.
Jibalona Club will be representing Algeria in archery and shooting, while Al Hilal Club from Sudan will be competing in archery. From clubs from Iraq will also be participating – these are Serawan Nawa, Kadhimiya, Erbil, and the Armenian Club. They will be competing in basketball, fencing, shooting, and athletics. From Oman, Saham Club and Alittihad Club will be competing in volleyball and shooting, respectively.
Palestine will be competing in fencing and athletics via two clubs: Al Quds and Areeha, while Qatar will be represented by Qatar Ladies Club, which will be competing in basketball, table tennis, fencing, shooting, archery, and athletics.
Kuwait’s Al Fatat Club will be participating in five games – basketball, volleyball, table tennis, shooting, and athletics – while Lebanon’s Shabab Al Fawar Club will be showcasing their table tennis skills.
Two clubs from Libya, Sedi Selim Club and Al Ahli, will be competing in fencing and shooting, respectively; Egypt will be represented by the Delphi and Al Sayd Clubs in volleyball and archery; and Yemen’s Al Fatayat Clyb will be participating in volleyball, table tennis, shooting, fencing, and athletics.
The event, which is an initiative by Sheikha Jawaher bin Mohammed Al Qasimi aims to develop Arab women sports and improve their sporting skills and capabilities.
Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the higher organizing committee of the Tournament of Arab Women Sports Tournament said that the event, the first of its kind for women’s sporting clubs in the Arab world and recognized by the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees and the Arab League, is considered “an accomplishment for Emirati and Arab women, since organizing such sporting events is not a straightforward task in many societies.”
Ahmad Al Fardan, Secretary General of the Sharjah Sports Council; Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Center also addressed the media.
AWST to be held in Sharjah from Feb. 2
AWST to be held in Sharjah from Feb. 2
Flick tells Barca stars to feel ‘responsibility’ for dip
- “I think everyone is convinced about what we are doing, of course in these moments it’s not easy,” Flick said
- “We were very honest and also very open, it’s not only me telling them what to do, I want to ask them”
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told his team they must feel responsibility after two damaging defeats ahead of Sunday’s clash against Levante in La Liga.
The Catalan giants are bolstered by the return of Pedri Gonzalez and Marcus Rashford after injury as they aim to overhaul Real Madrid in the Spanish title race.
After a 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid last week in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg, Barca fell to a 2-1 league defeat against Girona on Monday, giving Los Blancos a two-point advantage at the summit.
“I think everyone is convinced about what we are doing, of course in these moments it’s not easy,” Flick told reporters Saturday.
“For me, communication is always important. We were very honest and also very open, it’s not only me telling them what to do, I want to ask them. This is how I manage the team.
“It is important because we need leaders on the pitch, they should (be able) to say something. That’s how communication is, on the same eye-level.
“At the end, I have to decide things, that is my job, but I want the players to feel the responsibility about this situation, and I think they do.”
Rashford returns after a fortnight out with a knee problem, while key playmaker Pedri has missed a month with a hamstring injury.
“The positive thing is Rashford is back, Pedri is back,” said Flick.
“Maybe (Pedri) can play some minutes, the important thing is he’s training, with his quality.
“He’s an important player for us, he’s a different kind of leader because of his quality.
“He can also be one of these leaders for the future for this club.”
Flick also confirmed 21-year-old midfielder Gavi is back in training after undergoing knee surgery in September 2025.
Real Madrid visit Osasuna on Saturday aiming to stretch their lead on Barca before Levante visit Camp Nou.
