Awad Al Mansoori, Talal Al Hashemi, Amal Al-Afifi and Fatima Al Ameri during the press conference.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) will host its inaugural GCC Volleyball Cup for Ladies tournament in Abu Dhabi as part of its ongoing efforts to develop local talent and provide regular opportunities.

To be held from August 26-31 at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena, Zayed Sports City, the GCC Volleyball Cup for Ladies will feature six teams including three from the UAE – Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy Team, Al Wasl Club and Sharjah Ladies Club. 

The event will also include one team each from Saudi Arabia (Saudi Noura Club), Kuwait (Salwa Al Sabah) and Bahrain (Bahrain Club) with 72 players set to compete.

The staging of this month’s championship has been carefully selected by the FBMA to ensure it is held on Emirati Women’s Day, which will be celebrated across the UAE on August 28.

By marking the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, FBMA hopes to attract the wider local communities and inspire the younger generation of females to take up the sport when watching some of the best and aspiring volleyball players across the region in action.

The announcement was made during a press conference at Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s headquarters, attended by Talal Al Hashemi - Executive Director of Sports Developments Sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Amal Al-Afifi, Board Member of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Mr Awad Al Mansoori - Board Member of the UAE Volleyball Federation and Fatima Al Ameri, FBMA representative.

Also present were key officials from FBMA, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, UAE Volleyball Association and partners.

Amal Al-Afifi said: “The launch of the first GCC Volleyball Cup for Ladies represents another significant moment in FBMA’s history as we continue our journey of creating regular opportunities for females to participate and succeed in sport.

“Volleyball is a game that is going from strength to strength and rising in popularity and we are delighted to be bringing this important Gulf competition to Abu Dhabi that will showcase the best talent that the region has to offer.

“While we hope to attract new audiences to volleyball, the GCC Volleyball Cup for Ladies also falls on Emirati Women’s Day, which provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary women in our society.

By placing the spotlight on these female volleyball athletes, we hope the younger generation that are watching the matches will be inspired by what they see and be encouraged to follow in their footsteps so they can strive in sport and become the best individual they can be in life.”

Hashemi said: “The Fatima Bint Mubarak Sports Academy GCC Volleyball Cup for Ladies tournament is another great addition to the busy schedule of sporting events that are being hosted in Abu Dhabi.

“We believe this new tournament that brings together players from different countries across the GCC will be a valuable opportunity for teams to interact and gain more experience and deliver better performances.

“We have formed a strategic partnership with FBMA and we are happy with the progress made by the Academy as it has become a major supporter of women’s sports in Abu Dhabi.”

Mansoori said: “We are delighted to be part of the first FBMA GCC Volleyball Cup for Ladies competition and we hope this can be a successful tournament for all the teams and players involved.

We at the UAE Volleyball Association are always ready to support the FBMA and any other sporting organisation in delivering volleyball tournaments across the UAE and we will work hand-in-hand with the FBMA to ensure this tournament is a success.