Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (DUBAI)
The 12th edition of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award on Wednesday celebrated six distinguished Emirati youth who left their mark in international arenas across various sports fields, charting a path to success at an early age.
They were honoured during a ceremony in Madinat Jumeirah, together with the winners from other categories, by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, alongside His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.
The recipients of “The UAE Youth Award” include Sultan Saleh Mohammed (shooting), Ahmed Khalid Al Abdouli (taekwondo), Mira Abdulla Al Shehhi (swimming), Zamzam Mohammed Al Hammadi (jiu-jitsu), Alhayam Saif Al Blooshi (fencing), and Saeed Mahmoud Al Awadhi (water cycling).
Mira Al Shehhi, a swimmer representing both the UAE National team and Al Wasl Club, was awarded third place in the UAE Youth category for winning a silver medal in the 200-metre butterfly race, and a bronze medal in the 50-metre
butterfly race, which were held at the 2022 Arab Aquatics Championship in Cairo.
“I’m so grateful to be here,” Al Shehhi told Aletihad, extending her thanks to everyone who supported her throughout her promising swimming career.
The 16-year-old also shared details about her stringent training process, which earned her this distinguished recognition.
“I train every day, and it took me five years to get to this point … but this is not the end,” she said, promising to raise the flag of the UAE “high” at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Al Shehhi’s mother said in conversation with Aletihad: “What can I say … I’m very proud of her. Mira is a very dedicated person; she trains every day, and she has worked very hard to reach this level”.
Dreams of Emirati Women Have No Limits
Al Shehhi hopes that her successes inspire other women in the UAE to leave their own mark in sports.
“Being Emirati and a woman means that my dreams have no limits, and nothing will stop me from achieving them,” she said.
“I also want to coach kids, because they are cute and I can easily connect with them,” Al Shehhi added.
Aletihad also spoke to Zamzam Al Hammadi, an exceptional MMA and jiu-jitsu athlete who won fourth place in the UAE Youth category. Al Hammadi secured two gold medals at the World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2021 and in 2023, in addition to winning a gold medal at the 2023 IMMAF World Youth Championships.
For Al Hammadi, being one of the winners of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award has been a lifelong dream. The 18-year-old is the UAE’s first female MMA world champion, and began her training in the martial art of jiu jitsu at only three years old.
“This award means a lot to me; it’s a dream come true, and inshallah there is more to come,” she said, sharing her future plans to score similar wins in the sport of wrestling.
Her mother Nada Al Nuaimi has a black belt in judo and a brown belt in jiu-jitsu. She is nick-named “The Mother of Champions” for the achievements of her three children Ghala, Zayed and Zamzam in various sports fields.
“I am at a loss for words to describe how happy I am as a mother and as a jiu jitsu player that my daughter was able to contribute these achievements to her country, raising the name of the UAE and the flag of its nation in international arenas,” she told Aletihad.
Investing In Youth Talents
Sultan Mohammed, representing the Al Dhaid Cultural and Sports Club and the UAE national shooting team, earned first place in the UAE Youth category for scoring a gold medal at the 2021 Asian Airgun Championships in the 10-metre category.
“Nothing comes without hard work,” he told Aletihad, noting his gratitude for the recognition to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
“My plan is to keep training and honing my skills to uplift the flag of the UAE,” said the young Emirati, who entered this sports field at the age of 16 years, encouraged by his father’s continued support.
“I am very happy… honestly,” his father Saleh told Aletihad, as he took a deep breath while his eyes filled up with tears of joy.
Saleh noted his commitment to investing in his son’s talent, as the “youth are the seeds of our future”. He further highlighted the importance of sports for mental and physical health.
“We are building a champion. It’s my hope that Sultan will continue to uplift the flag of the UAE in global arenas, and make his country proud,” said the father.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award is an “invaluable” support tool, motivating aspiring young athletes in the UAE and across the Arab world, he added, expressing his hope that all six awardees will participate in and secure triumphs at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award is part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. It recognises excellence across various sports disciplines. The 12th edition of the Award celebrated 30 creative athletes, teams, personalities, and institutions from across the UAE, the Arab region, and the world.
Since its initiation in 2009, the Award has received a total of 3,142 entries from all over the world. This edition witnessed a significant increase in the number of nominees, which reached 545, marking a 33% increase compared to the previous edition. It also marked the introduction of a new category specifically for “Arab Junior Athletes”.
