Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, on Monday welcomed the winners of the 12th edition of the Award, who have arrived in Dubai to attend the awards ceremony scheduled to be held on January 10.

A Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award is the largest award of its kind in terms of prize money and categories, and the first dedicated to creativity in sports.

Recognising excellence across various sports disciplines, the Award will celebrate 30 Creative athletes, teams, personalities and institutions from across the UAE, the Arab region and the world.

Welcoming the winners, Sheikh Ahmed said that the UAE is committed to celebrating excellence and recognising pioneering initiatives that empower societies and have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

He emphasised the crucial role of creative athletes and sports institutions in inspiring communities to strive for excellence. “The UAE leadership aims to acknowledge and honour various forms of creativity in all fields, recognising those with creative contributions that leave a positive impact, whether they are from the UAE, the Arab world or from around the globe,” he said.

“As part of the 12th edition of the award, we will honour a new group of exceptional individuals across various sports disciplines, ranging from young participants to elite athletes. Furthermore, the ceremony will honour institutions from the UAE, the region and the world, contributing to the continued consolidation of creativity in sports,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Sheikh Ahmed added that the continued support from the Award’s patron, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, ensures the award’s pivotal role in advancing excellence for a brighter future and contributing to community empowerment within the framework of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

The awards ceremony, to be held at Arena Hall in Madinat Jumeirah, will recognise prominent figures, including Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, honoured as the UAE Sports Personality; Sheikh Talal Al Fahad Al Subah, acknowledged as the Arab Sports Personality; Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, named the International Sports Personality; Sheikh Saud Bin Ali Al Thani, President of the International Basketball Federation; Muhammad Hassan Jalloud, President of the International Weightlifting Federation; Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, alongside other athletes, teams and representatives from creative institutions.

A Swiss advocate by profession, Infantino has guided FIFA through a transformative era, implementing groundbreaking technologies and initiatives that have profoundly impacted the sport.

Under Infantino’s stewardship, FIFA has embraced technological advancements in world competitions, most notably the introduction of Goal Line Technology and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. These innovations have been pivotal in enhancing the accuracy and fairness of the game at the highest levels.

The award aims to celebrate and honour outstanding athletes and the teams, enabling their success as they find new and creative ways to lift their performance.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Creative Sports Award also endeavours to achieve the noble goals of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to empower communities through sport.

The award has set new records during its 12th edition, as it features 545 nominees in the individual, team and corporation categories, with a 33% increase in entries compared to the 11th edition.

The number of awardees has also increased to 30. A new category for Arab junior athletes has been created.