School Athletics Championships begin at newly opened Sharjah Olympic Sports Centre for Women

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Following the opening of the Sharjah Olympic Sports Centre for Women, the facility in the Al Falah area of the Emirate hosted the third edition of the School Athletics Championships on Friday.

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS), inaugurated the Sharjah Olympic Sports Centre for Women on Tuesday afternoon, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s development of women's sports.

The championship, being organized by Sharjah Women's Sports and kicked off on Wednesday, will continue until Feb.27 in cooperation with the Sharjah Education Academy, Sharjah Private Education Authority, and UAE Athletics Federation.

Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports, witnessed the start of the activities and praised the turnout and enthusiasm of the participants. Also present at the event were officials of the foundation and Sharjah Women's Sports.

The centre boasts gymnasiums, open and closed stadiums, and specialised buildings for disciplines such as taekwondo, judo, karate, archery, table tennis, fencing, and more. It includes an Olympic athletics track, a shooting range, and an administrative building with modern amenities, including a medical clinic and a hall for developing sports performance.

The championship represents a cornerstone in the foundation's efforts to enhance the sporting landscape within the vibrant Emirate, targeting key aspects of modernisation and developmental projects.

Emphasising individual Olympic disciplines such as athletics, the initiative leverages a scientific approach in implementing physical assessments and tests that are benchmarked to match international standards. This meticulous process aids in identifying and nurturing exceptional female athletes capable of excelling both locally and internationally. Expert physiological measurement officials from the International Center, under the Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation, oversee these evaluations.

Building upon the successes of previous editions, the third installment of the School Athletics Championships aims to achieve several objectives. These include bolstering the women’s sports ecosystem through increased school participation, talent identification, forging effective partnerships with public and private schools, and optimising sports facilities across Sharjah clubs. Additionally, it seeks to support sports training centers as part of the "School Sports Club for Women’s Sports" initiative, foster a culture of sportsmanship, and conduct comprehensive physiological assessments to unearth talent.

The Planning and Follow-up Committee has allotted three days for the event, with the preliminary rounds spanning the first two days, while the third and final day is dedicated to the finals.

Three main competitions are outlined for participants: running events (60m, 150m, and 300m), long jump, and 2kg shot put. Incentive prizes are earmarked for winners and their respective coaches, typically physical education teachers. Participants are categorised into three age groups: 9–10 years, 11–12 years, and 13–14 years.