The Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence, launched with the objective of enhancing the passion for sports development in the emirate of Sharjah and empowering a generation of leaders capable of leading sports institutions, has revealed the criteria and award categories.

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Women’s Sports, the inaugural edition of the award ceremony will take place in November.

The criteria and award categories were announced during a press conference held at the iconic House of Wisdom in Sharjah in the presence of dignitaries, officials, and representatives of clubs and sports institutions.

In her message, Sheikha Jawaher said: “Sports have recently gained great popularity in the UAE among individuals and local entities, resulting in athletes proving their mettle on the local and international stage by winning titles, medals, and awards.

“These individual efforts have become the basis that guarantees the sustainability of sports practices and technical expertise, as many people chose to organise a sports tournament for a group of amateurs, others provided space for themselves and their colleagues to practise a sport that they enjoyed, and some of them devoted their talents to spreading the culture of sports excellence at the community level by training young players.

“Across the Emirate of Sharjah, people can find spaces equipped with playgrounds and sporting facilities. We are fortunate to have the interest of Dr. Sheikh Sultan in spreading the culture of healthy living that produces champions.

“His Highness spoke up for the demands of the sporting community, particularly those who had achieved in sports, so that their passion would remain alight and they would continue to achieve success after success. Now it is high time for those efforts that continued to be accomplished in secret to be recognised and celebrated, as they deserve.

“Through the Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence, we aim to introduce the community to these personalities so that they become an example to follow and to create a generation that believes in the importance of sports achievement and spreads this passion among its peers,” she added.

Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Award; Najla Abdullah Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Award; and Dr. Abdullah Abdulrahman Bin Sultan, Member of the Board of Trustees and Supervisor of the Jury, shed light on the criteria and categories of the award.

Hazami thanked Sheikha Jawaher and expressed gratitude for showing faith in him. “The Sharjah Sports Council and Sharjah Women’s Sports would collaborate to develop a qualified and distinguished leadership generation in all facets of sports.”

He also noted that the award is based on five pillars: “good example, sports ethics, loyalty and belonging, and integrity.”

“The award meets one of the key objectives of Dr. Sheikh Sultan, which is to train and empower talent who are capable of attaining future objectives and overcoming barriers,” he added.

Speaking about the award’s goals, Najla stated that it will promote a culture that blends academic and athletic success in compliance with sustainable health standards. She thanked the cooperation of a number of entities and institutions for their support of the award.

She also thanked Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Al Naboodah Automobiles-Audi, Sharjah International Airport Authority, Sharjah Cooperative, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Air Arabia, Sharjah Government Media Office, Sharjah Ladies Club, and House of Wisdom for their support.

Dr. Abdullah Abdulrahman revealed the four categories of the award, including the Sports Leadership category, the Sports Future Partners category, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Sports Personality of the Year.

The Sports Leadership category consists of Best Budding Athlete (12–17 years), Best Rising Athlete (18–22 years), and Best Young Athlete (23–40 years). In the Sports Future Partners category, awards will be given to the Best Sports Media Influencer, Sports Opportunities Creator, Best Sports Mentor, Best Sports Family, Best Sport-Supporting Organisation, Most Active in Sports Forums, and Best Sport-Supporting Sponsor. The Lifetime Achievement Award will go to an athlete who has spent 15 years in the sport.