Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympic Committee, delivered a message to the UAE girls ahead of the 6^th GCC Women's Games hosted by Kuwait (Oct.20-30 October). About 180 individuals, 137 of whom are females, will represent the UAE in nine individual and team sports.

“The nation accustomed to achievements by its citizens always deserves continuous efforts to maintain its leading role and uphold its tall reputation. We are heading to this competition with full confidence that our girls are capable of representing the country and raising the flag high on the podiums, and bring medals back home,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

“Our girls are well aware of what it takes to represent the nation and compete against their GCC peers. The games offer a chance to gain experience and benefit and open the way for refined performance in future,” added Sheikh Ahmed.  

He also praised the support of UAE’s leadership to women's sports as well as the unlimited support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak President of the General Women's Union and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood Family development "Mother of the UAE".

“No doubt the keenness of leadership to the success of the women's sports sector puts our daughters under a constant challenge to achieve the desired goals. We in the National Olympic Committee stand with them side-by-side to achieve those noble goals in the name of the country,” concluded Sheikh Ahmed.

Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi is heading the delegation, while Muna Khalifa Al Shamsi has been named as the Chef de Mission. Ghalia Abdullah Al Mazmi as Deputy Chef de Mission.

The nine games where UAE athletes will compete are basketball, volleyball, handball, futsal, taekwondo, archery, bowling, fencing, athletics for people of determination.

The tournament will start on Sunday, with the team comprising of Al Anoud Mabrouk Al-Saadi, Ashwaq Al Haider Al Masabi, Aisha Issa Obaid, Fajr Abdullah Al Marzouqi, Fatima Salem Al Kaabi, Latifa Salem Al-Hosani, Nora Mohammed Al Buraiki, Shahd Ahmad Khouzam, Shawq Saeed Bilal, and Zainab Mohammed Al Hosani. Coaches are Osama Mohammed Qandil, and Sharif Mohammed Mahmoud.

The Taekwondo team comprises of Suhail Mukhaini, Souad Rashed Al Masmari, Badria Mohamed Mualla, and Tasneem Saeed Hadrami, in addition to Abdullah Sorour as a coach, and Ali Ismail Sabri as an official.

The shooting team comprises of Afra Mohammed Al Shamsi, Afra Salem Bin Dhawi, Aisha Mohammed Al Yasi, Fatima Mohammed Al Shibli, Fatima Saeed Al Kaabi, Fiddah Mohammed Lootah, Ghaya Shahil Al Shehil, Maitha Mohammed Al Nayara, Marwa Gohar Mahboob, Nada Ibrahim Al Zaabi, Safa Mohammed Al Hashemi, Salma Ismail Al Hassouni, Salwa Saeed Al Dhaheri, Sheikha Mohammed Al Shehhi, Shorouq Hassan Al Ali, Wafaa Khamis Al Ali, Yasmeen Abdul Rahman Tahlak in addition to Hind Ibrahim Al Hosani as official, and Fahad Salem Al Hammadi, Hassan Mohsen Mousawi, and Suhaila Imamuddin as coaches.

The bowling team includes Khulood Juma Al Dhaheri, Rahma Mubarak Al Sharqi, and Hind Yousef Al Hammadi in addition to Ahmed Khamis Al Ali as official, and Ahmed Ateej Al Marri as a coach.

The athletics team for the people of determination includes Afra Rashid bin Dhawi, Khadija Barout Al Swuaidi, Sarah Mohammed Sinani, Mahra Khalid Al Kaabi, Zikrah Ahmed Al Kaabi, Aisha Salem Al Khaldi, Mariam Ahmed Al Zyoudi, Mariam Khamis Al Matrooshi, Insaf Suhail Al Nuaimi, Siham Masoud Al Rashidi, Reem Abdullah Al Breiki, Sheikha Abdul Aziz Sultan, Shamma Abdul Aziz Sultan, Aisha Ahmed Al Hameli, and Thoraya Hamad Al Zaabi in addition to Maitha Sari Al Muhairi as official, and Nayla bint Aziz Khamis, Ayman Mohammed Ibrahim, Saeed Saed, and Suad Aghbalat as coaches.