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, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation amd Mother of the Nation, the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has opened nominations for the seventh edition of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award.

The award is also supported by Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, and President of the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Ladies Clubs.

The award is the first of its kind in the region and one of the most distinguished in the Arab sports community. It aims to empower women and highlight their achievements in the sports sector throughout the entire year. In addition to striving to improve participation, the awards enhance competitiveness and excellence in women's sports, creating a stimulating environment to help them advance.

A press conference was held to announce details of the award at the Erth Hotel in Abu Dhabi to reveal the details of the seventh edition of the award in the presence of His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajri, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Her Excellency Dr. Suad Al-Suwaidi, representative of the Presidential Court, and Mariam Al Mansoori, representative of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy.

The award ceremony will be held on 15 November 2023 and nominations will be open until 31 August 2023.

The award, which has a total prize money of AED 1.8 million includes 11 categories for individual and group levels. The individual level awards include Best Arab Female Athlete, Best Emirati Athlete, Best Youth Athlete, Best Paralympic Athlete, Best Female/Male Coach and Best Sports Media. A new category, Best Sports Mother, has also been introduced for this edition.

At the level of sports federations and institutions, the awards will also include the Best Youth Development Program, Best Team and Best Sports Creative initiative.

The academy also grants a special award to honour the Arab Sports Personality of the Year, which is determined by a jury to honour an Arab personality for outstanding performance and contributions in the field of women's sports.

His Excellency Aref Al Awani said: “The award aims to continue supporting the directives of empowering women and highlighting their achievements in the sports sector, which is a goal that enjoys generous support and generous care from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation.

“This has had a great impact on the renaissance and progress of women's sports in the Emirates and the Arab world. We emphasize the importance of the award and its role in enriching the local and Arab women's sports movement, in addition to the important and prominent role it plays in motivating Emirati girls to earn more international sports awards.

“The Abu Dhabi Sports Council also supports their progress, according to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. In order to achieve the country's vision in building a healthy society, the academy pursues this role through community participation, research and education, as well as preparing sports teams, organizing events and championships and enhancing capabilities to achieve the goals and directives of the wise leadership.

“I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Sheikha Fatima bint Hazaa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, President of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Ladies Clubs, who provides full support for the continuation of progress and excellence in the march for women's sports, as well as her great role in launching the award in its seventh edition.”

Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajri said: “We are pleased to announce the launch date of the award, which is held under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.

“Every year, the academy seeks, through the prestigious award that represents an extension of the flow of the river of giving and goodness led by the Mother of the Nation, to shed light on women's sports and the experiences of inspiring women in the sports sector, with the participation of a group of the most prominent personalities in the world of local and Arab sports.”

Dr Al Hajri also recognised the support of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazaa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, President of the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Ladies Clubs, for the continuation of progress and excellence in the march for women's sports, as well as her standing behind the goal of empowering women and supporting creative women in the field of sports.

Dr Al Hajri thanked and appreciated the award's sponsors and partners for continuing to support women's sports in general and supporting the Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award in particular.

Mariam Al Mansoori said: “We are proud of the value and status of the award and its pioneering role in supporting creative energies and influential women in the world of sports, and seeking to motivate them in order to continue the spirit of dedication and determination to reach the podiums in the fields of sports competition in various continental and international forums.

“The award in all its categories is an inspiring and renewed platform for outstanding students and those with creativity and sporting excellence. The seventh edition witnesses an increase in the total financial awards compared to last year's edition, which confirms the excellence of the award, which is receiving great attention in the Arab region.”

Her Excellency Dr. Suad Al-Suwaidi said she was honoured to be present to announce the launch of the seventh session of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Women’s Sports, which lets us witness together the success and excellence that the award has achieved over the past years, embodying through it the interest of the wise leadership in empowering Emirati women.

Her Excellency Dr. Suad Al-Suwaidi said: “The Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy represented a significant turning point in the march for women's sports, and its launch translated the pioneering vision of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, "Mother of the Nation", to enhance the status of women in the sports sector and to provide a healthy environment that contributes to the development of their talents and capabilities.”

To submit applications and for further information on categories, please visit: www.fbmwomensportsaward.ae.