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29 March 2024

Sharjah Ruler wins top sports award

Mattar Al Tayer, the chairman of board of trustees, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, and Dr. Ahmad Saad Al Sharif, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Counci, announcing the winners at a press conference in Dubai on Saturday. (CHANDRA BALAN)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah was among the top winners of the second Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards for 2010.

Sheikh Sultan was named the Local Sports Personality of the Year in recognition of his contribution to sports in the UAE and his support to athletes.
Among other winners of the award were Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar who was named The Arab Sports Personality of the Year for his role in Qatar’s winning the bid to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup and bringing it for the first time to the Middle East, and talented UAE footballer Ahmad Khalil.
The names of the winners were announced at a press conference in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award, in the presence of Dr. Ahmad Saad Al Sharif, Secretary General of DSC and Dr. Atif Audhiybat, head of the Award’s Jury and deputy chairman of DSC.
They were chosen from among 132 candidates from 16 Arab countries, a significant increase from 116 candidates representing 11 countries during the inaugural edition of the Award.
Dr. Audhiybat congratulated Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the Patron of this Award, and Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Chairman of the Award and President of the UAE Olympic Committee, for the success of the Award in its second round.
Mattar Al Tayer said this Award has been launched according to the future vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to honour the innovators in sport in the Arab and local levels.
“This award is an unprecedented addition to the local and Arab sport level in terms of being the first of its kind dealing with creative sports in its various aspects and is a basic starting point in the Race for Excellence challenged by the United Arab Emirates in general and Dubai in particular,.
He said the criteria for Award has been set up according to institutional excellence standards to honour the athletes and brilliant sports organisations in the local and Arab region.
“We hope that this award may serve as a locomotive in a race without end towards excellence and sport creativity, and contribute in generating achievements to cross the limits and motivate athletes to be active creators and contributors in advancing the development of Arab sports,” he said.
He also congratulated Qatar for obtaining the honour of hosting the 2022 World Cup through a file prepared at highest levels.
“It is the pride of every Arab and Muslim because it is a historical achievement unprecedented by any Arab country before. We won’t forget also to congratulate our brothers in Republic of Yemen for its success in organising the 20th Gulf Cup of Nations (football tournament),” he added.
The annual Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum are presented to various athletes, administrators and sports organisers in recognition of their service in the sport in the UAE and Arab world. The awards will be distributed at a special function to be held on January 6.
Other winners from the UAE were UAE Bowling Team (UAE Creative Team), Al Ain Sports Club (UAE Creative Institution), Yahya Mansour Al Hammadi (Ju-Jitsu) and Ali Hamad Al Badwawi (football referee).
Following is the list of the winners:
UAE Sports Personality: Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah
Arab Sports Personality: Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Thani (Qatar).
Arab Creative Athlete: Ali Mohammad Al Asy (Jordan)
Arab Creative Coach: Jama Mohammad Aden (Somalia)
Arab Creative Institution: Sudan Athletics Association
UAE Creative Athlete: Yahya Mansour Al Hammadi (Ju-Jitsu)
UAE Creative Administrator: Ali Hamad Al Badwawi (football referee)
UAE Creative Team: UAE Bowling Team
UAE Creative Institution: Al Ain Sports Club
Arab sportsperson who has contributed to the improvement of the Womens’ Arab Sports: Shaikha Naima Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah (Kuwait)
Arabic Sportsperson who has contributed to improvement in international sports: Tony Khoury (Lebanon)
Athlete or Team or Sports Institution with accomplishments based on high moral values: Firas Mulla (Syria)
Institution that has contributed to support and reinforce the social role of sport: Egypt National Olympic Committee
Promising Athlete with distinguished accomplishment in the sports field: Ahmad Khalil (UAE)
Distinguished local media by its coverage of sports events: Al Khaleej daily, Sharjah
Athlete with sports achievements in the light of major humanitarian challenges: Younus Jaad (Morocco)
Creative persons with successful initiatives that have contributed in the enrichment of sports: Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Qatar National Olympic Committee