The International Forum for Women and Sports, organised by the Women’s Sports Committee of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), will take place on Wednesday with some of the most prominent Emirati and international advocates of women’s sport sharing their insights on the “Future of Women’s Sport in Light of the Current Challenges”.

Taking place remotely on video conferencing app Zoom, between 11am and 12.30pm on July 22, the Forum boasts a panel that includes Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum, Board Member of the UAE Volleyball Association, Sheikha Naima Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, head of the Organising Committee for Women’s Games in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Mouza Ibrahim Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Community Development, and Rowdah Al Mehrizi, Chairperson of Women’s Sports Committee.

Tunisian fencer Enes Boubakri, winner of a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and Frenchwoman Laura Georges, one of the top stars of international women’s football, will also be a part of the discussions.

Mahrazi will deliver the opening address before Mouza Al Suwaidi shares her insight on the “Impact of COVID-19 on women’s and community sport” in the opening session.

The second session will feature Sheikha Shamsa and Kuwait’s Sheikha Naima, and together they will throw light on ‘the future of women’s sport in light of the current challenges’.

Georges, who is the Secretary General of French Football Federation, and Boubakri, a winner of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Creative Sports Award and an MBR Sports Creativity Ambassador, will then discuss the ‘impact of COVID-19 on the performance of sportswomen’ in the third session alongside Nadia Khadim, captain of Al Wasl’s women’s volleyball team.

In the fourth session, Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation, and Dr Mai Al Jaber, who is a Board member of the UAE National Olympic Committee and the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, will discuss “The role of institutions in supporting future women’s sports programs”.

Fouzeya Faridoon, Manager of DSC’s Women’s Sports Development section and Manager of the Council’s Women’s Sports Committee, will then bring the curtains down on the forum by enumerating on the conclusions and recommendations made by the panellists.

DSC announces FootVolley: DSC have announced the addition of the hugely popular beach sport, footvolley, to their list of events for the upcoming Beach Sports Week.

Organised in cooperation with AFC Sports Academy, the six-team footvolley tournament will take place on Friday and Saturday, with matches scheduled from 7am to 9.30am. The event is open to both men and women.

Born on the beaches of Brazil in the 1960s, footvolley is one of the most popular beach sports in the world. It is similar to Beach Volley, but without the use of arms and hands.

Players use their head, chest, thighs and feet instead to pass the ball over the next, or to keep the ball from hitting the ground.

The sport demands excellent balance, ball control, endurance, focus and quick reflexes, and fans are treated to long rallies and spectacular points. The sport is exciting and addictive, and anybody can play.

The airbadminton tournament, meanwhile, will take place on July 24, 29, 30 and 31, with a total of 35 matches being played across five categories – singles and doubles for men and women, and mixed doubles – with draws of eight in each category.

The tournament, being organised by DSC and UAE Badminton Committee, is open to all players, badminton clubs and academies registered in the UAE.

The other events that are part of the Beach Sports Week are: Elite Men’s Beach Volleyball tournament; Esperia Beach Volleyball tournament for ladies and mixed teams, and the super sports beach tennis tournament.

Organised in cooperation with Elite Volleyball Academy, the men’s volleyball tournament matches are scheduled to take place in two sessions on Friday and Saturday – morning from 7am to 9.30am and evening from 6pm to 11pm.

The Esperia Beach Volleyball tournament, taking place on July 24, 25 and 31, and Aug. 1, will see competition in three categories – 2x2 Female, 2x2 Mix and 4x4 Mix, where at least two of the players should be ladies.