The Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award has announced its shortlist for the 10th edition following a surge in interest that produced 509 applications from 13 Arab countries according to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. This total represents a 96 percent increase compared with the previous edition while the UAE led all nations with 224 submissions. The Best Arab Female Athlete category drew the largest share of nominations at 110 followed by the Best Emirati Female Athlete category with 88.
Nominations closed in mid-October with an extension to early October for athletes competing at the Asian Games in Japan the council reported. Evaluation and judging are now under way to select winners based on the award’s established criteria. The process will culminate in a ceremony where honorees are recognised for their contributions to women’s sports across the region.
Total prize money for the 10th edition stands at AED 2.2 million distributed across nine categories a statement from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council said. These encompass Best Arab Sportswoman Best Emirati Sportswoman Best Paralympic Sportswoman Best Young Sportswoman Best Coach Best Sports Media Influencer Best Sporting Family Best Sportswoman in Non-Olympic Sports and Best Team. A special award will also go to the Arab Sports Personality of the Year honouring an individual who has advanced women’s sports.
The award takes place 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. Support and guidance come from Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan Chairwoman of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and President of the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Ladies Clubs WAM reported. The academy organises the programme in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
Established in 2010 the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy has built a comprehensive system for talent identification training and competition that now spans more than 15 sports according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. Its events have included the 13th International Show Jumping Cup offering AED 1 million in prizes as well as chess basketball and volleyball tournaments that drew participants from multiple Arab nations. Such activities have broadened opportunities for women and girls in athletic pursuits throughout the UAE and the wider region.
Hamda Al Mansoori chairwoman of the judging committee noted that the increased participation from across 13 countries underscores the award’s standing and intensifies competition in every category. The shortlist reflects a broad range of achievements that will be assessed in the weeks ahead. Winners will be revealed at the November 9 event at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi.