Mohammed tops list of sports achievers

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has been ranked at the top of the list of UAE sports achievers in 2012.
 
This was disclosed during the annual ceremony held by the General Authority for Youth and Sports at the National Theatre in Abu Dhabi to honour the top sports achievers during 2012.
 
Held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the event was attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The UAE president's award worth over Dh17.8 million was presented to the top sports achievers. 
 
Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, the Speaker of Federal National Council, Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to UAE President, Sheikh Majed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Chairman of the General Authority for Youth and Sports, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, a number of Sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries and senior sports officials were also present. 
 
Sheikh Mohammed was honoured for winning Longines FEI World Endurance Championship at Euston Park in Suffolk, UK, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai for winning the gold medal in the World Endurance Cup in Euston Park in 2012, Sheikh Majed bin Mohammed bin Rashid for winning gold medal for also winning gold medal in Euston Park in 2012, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum was honoured for winning a bronze medal in skating, Sheikh Latifa bin Ahmed bin Juma Al Maktoum for winning bronze medal in the Dubai International Championship for Show Jumping and many among others were also honoured.
 
The UAE Olympic National Team were honoured for participation in the London Olympic Games 2012, while the UAE national football were honoured for winning Khaliji 21 held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 485 sportspersons representing different sports were honoured for their various achievements. 
 
The sports personalities were also honoured, among many others, Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan , former president of the Bowling.  

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs affirmed that the distribution of the UAE president's donation to the great sports achievers nationwide is a reward for every sportsman who seeks and strives to win the first position and raise the name of the UAE highly, calling for continuation of these achievements every year.
 
He hailed all sports associations which had scored outstanding achievements, lauding their strategies and performances.
 
In his remarks after the ceremony, Sheikh Mansour expressed his happiness about the great achievements attained by Emirati women.  
 
In response to a question on if we want to excel in a particular sports, he said, "We should focus on some of these sports and work harder to improve standards of sportsmen, and hence we can excel."
 
The ceremony began with a screening of a documentary film displaying the most important achievements in 2012, and followed with a statement from Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.
 
Sheikh Nahyan extended thanks and appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for their support to sports and youth.
He also extended thanks to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs for his continuous support for the youth.
 
He lauded the great role of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Chairwoman of Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood in supporting the sportswomen in the country, extending congratulations to her for receiving the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Award in recognition to her  role in supporting sports and sportspersons.
 
He also called on the sportsmen to continue hard performance and progress, citing that the UAE youth deserves honouring since they are always aiming for the best.
 
Meanwhile, a rare photo exhibition of the late Sheikh Zayed  bin Sultan Al Nahyan was held on the sidelines of the ceremony. The exhibition featured 41 rare photos, showing Sheikh Zayed practising the sports and holding meetings with sportsmen.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.