Sheikh Mohammed Al Sharqi, Dr Rafael Santonja, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Bin Saif Al Sharqi, Engineer Mohammed Bin Majed and Ali Abdullah Bin Haider pose for a picture.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, said the emirate of Fujairah has become a place where athletes from various sports gather and compete due to the wise vision and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah.

He made this statement on while receiving Dr Rafael Santonja, President of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Bin Saif Al Sharqi, President of the Emirates Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, along with members of the organising committee of the World Amateur and Professional Bodybuilding Championship.

The event coincides with the championship's launch, hosted by Fujairah, featuring the world's top bodybuilding champions.

During the meeting, Santonja told Sheikh Mohammed that the emirate was chosen as the world capital of bodybuilding with the consent of the sport’s relevant federations, which comprise 204 member countries that are part of the IFBB.

"Hosting major sporting events that attract top athletes is a continuous success for Fujairah. “The emirate follows the best sports policies and practices that enrich the local sports scene and contribute to the country’s vision and status in the regional and international sporting arena,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“The selection of Fujairah as the capital of world bodybuilding by the IFBB underscores its prominent stature in this sport, he added, thanking everyone who voted for the emirate and noting that efforts will be exerted to boost Fujairah’s stature as a destination that supports the sport.

The meeting was also attended by members of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness, heads of a number of international federations of bodybuilding, and members of the Board of Directors of the UAE Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness.

Also present were Dr Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah; Ali Abdullah Bin Haider, Vice President and Financial Manager at Emirates Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation; Engineer Mohammed Bin Majed, Director-General of the Department of Industry and Economy in Fujairah and chairman of the organising committee; Khalil Mohammed Marouf, championships director; and other dignitaries.

The Fujairah Crown Prince was also briefed about the championship programme, its significance, and the degree of success it has attained.

He was also apprised about the value it brought to the Emirate of Fujairah.

Sheikh Mohammed also directed the organizing committee to ensure the success of the event and achieve its intended goals in accordance with the highest international standards and practices followed in hosting continental and international tournaments.