Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club hosts Hamda Bint Taryam Charity Championship

On the occasion of the International Day of Charity, Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club organised the Hamda Bint Taryam Charity Chess Championship, with all proceeds and prize money dedicated to the Hamda Bint Taryam Charity Foundation, one of the leading institutions in humanitarian work inside and outside the UAE.

Taryam Matar Taryam, President of the UAE Chess Federation, praised the initiative of Al Ain Club, expressing his gratitude for organising such a unique championship that highlights the role of sports in serving society.

He also pointed out the foundation’s significant contributions in building housing, educational, and healthcare complexes in ten African countries.

For his part, Omar Mohammed Abdullah, Head of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club, affirmed that the championship was held in honour of the late Hamda Bint Taryam—may she rest in peace—who left a lasting humanitarian impact on many communities, especially in Africa.

He added: At Al Ain Club, we are committed to strengthening the role of sports as a means to support charitable and humanitarian initiatives, while instilling values of giving and solidarity among members of the community. We will continue to organize such initiatives, as we believe that sports and charity together contribute to building a better future for all.”

At the conclusion of the championship, the club presented a commemorative shield to the Hamda bint Taryam Foundation in recognition of its great efforts in charitable work, in addition to honoring Taryam Matar for his continuous support in promoting and developing chess in the UAE.

The competition was held under the 7-round Swiss system, with a time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move according to FIDE Blitz rules (Fischer system). The championship attracted wide participation from players of different categories and nationalities.

Gaith Al Nuaimi clinched first place, followed by Abdullah Adel in second place, while Wael Mujahid secured third place.

Emirati drag racer and philanthropist Hamda Taryam Matar Taryam died in 2024.

Hamda was celebrated as the first Emirati female car racer, earning recognition for her remarkable skills in both car and motorcycle racing. Her motorsport journey began in 2020, and she quickly rose to prominence, sharing her passion with a growing audience on Instagram, where she attracted more than 136,000 followers.

Beyond racing, Hamda made a lasting humanitarian impact through her charitable efforts, particularly in Uganda. Through the Hamda Foundation for Charitable Investments, she spearheaded numerous projects aimed at supporting vulnerable communities. In March 2022, during the Emirates Custom Show exhibition, she announced the establishment of the Hamda Vocational and Social Institute in Uganda’s Maska region, a project designed to empower orphans by providing education and vocational training opportunities.

Her influence extended globally when she appeared on Netflix’s “The Fastest”, the first Arabic reality series spotlighting the region’s passion for motorsport, where her story resonated with audiences worldwide.