ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Mother of the Nation, and under the directives of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA), Chairwoman of Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and Al Ain Ladies Club, the FBMA will organise the first International Bowling Tournament for Ladies, coinciding with the opening of its new bowling facility at the academy’s headquarters.
The opening marks a new step that reflects the academy’s commitment to providing modern and integrated sports facilities for ladies, in line with the highest technical and organisational standards adopted in the sport of bowling.
The launch of the new bowling facility is in line with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to provide an integrated sporting environment that encourages women to practise sports and adopt a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
It also reflects the continuous and unlimited support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for women, and her keenness to enhance their role, empowerment, and progress across various fields by providing facilities, programmes, and initiatives that enrich their sporting, cultural and social presence.
The new facility represents a valuable addition to the academy’s sports facilities. It has been designed according to the highest international standards adopted in bowling and equipped with the latest technical systems and modern operating solutions, ensuring a comprehensive sporting experience for female players. The facility is also fully dedicated to ladies, contributing to encouraging women to practise bowling and participate in its championships.
As part of its opening ceremony, the facility will host the first edition of the Fatima bint Mubarak Academy International Bowling Tournament for Ladies, taking place on June 11-14, 2026, in cooperation with the Emirates Bowling Federation and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
The tournament will welcome more than 50 female players from the UAE and abroad, alongside players from the national team and People of Determination.
As an internationally classified championship, it brings together female players of various levels from both local and international arenas through individual and team competitions, with the aim of developing women’s sports and strengthening women’s presence in the sport of bowling.
The tournament is held as part of the annual calendar of championships and sporting events organised by FMBA in support of women’s sports. It also highlights the presence of Emirati women on the sporting stage and provides female players with opportunities to gain further experience and competitive exposure, contributing to raising the technical and competitive level and supporting the continued progress of Emirati women’s sports toward further excellence and achievements.
Dr Omniyat Mohammed Al Hajeri, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the FBMA, said: “The opening of the new bowling facility represents an important step within the academy’s plans to provide specialised and modern sports facilities for ladies, while creating opportunities for them to practise bowling in an integrated environment that meets the highest standards of quality.
"Organising the international tournament in conjunction with the opening of the facility reflects the academy’s keenness for this venue to serve as a real platform for discovering talent, developing the capabilities of female players, and promoting sporting competition.”
Al Hajeri added that the tournament will witness strong participation from female players of different levels, under the supervision of an all-female refereeing team. This reflects the central role of women across all elements of the sporting ecosystem, whether as players, referees, or organisers.
She affirmed that the academy continues to support programmes and championships that contribute to promoting a culture of sport and strengthening women’s participation in local and international sporting events.
With the opening of the bowling facility and the organisation of the international tournament, FBMA reaffirms its continued commitment to supporting the journey of women’s sports and providing the right environment that enables women to practise sport.
This aligns with the academy’s vision and mission to develop women’s sports in the UAE and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for hosting and organising women’s sporting events at both local and international levels.