Sports Medicine Conference highlights progress in UAE women’s sports

The second day of the UAE Sports Medicine Conference, organised by the Emirates Society of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) in Dubai Healthcare City, witnessed remarkable Emirati participation.

The opening session showcased the significant progress of women’s sports in the UAE and the empowerment of women at all competitive and administrative levels.

The presentation, delivered by Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of the Sharjah Women’s Sports, and Aisha Abu Al Zoud, Head of the Physiotherapy Department at the Sharjah Women’s Sports, highlighted key figures and details showing the growing number of sports and clubs dedicated to women, the increasing participation of female athletes in tournaments and events, and the efforts made to empower women in the sports sector.

The presentation was highly praised by attendees and participants in the session titled “Women and Sports”, which also featured speakers including Professor Babette Pluim from the Netherlands, Professor Wayne Derman from South Africa, Dr. Kate Jordan from the UAE, Dr. Marianna Kaiseler from the UK, and Dr. Margo Mountjoy from Canada.

The other four sessions covered diverse topics in sports medicine and rehabilitation, featuring contributions from Emirati and resident experts such as Dr. Dina Joksimovic, Professor Abdullah Shehab, Dr. Ahmed Taysir, Dr. Yasser Madani, Dr. Shoaib Arshad, Dr. Sami Hassan, Dr. Khalid Al Awadhi, Dr. Arthur Blair, Dr. Sami Hanna, Dr. Laszlo Kannon, and Professor Marwan Al Reesh. Many professionals from UAE sports institutions, federations, and clubs were also in attendance.

Dr. Abdulla Alrahoomi, President of the Emirates Society of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and Chairman of the conference organising committee, emphasized that the committee ensured the participation of experts in women’s sports, sports medicine, and rehabilitation to highlight the remarkable progress in these fields in the UAE, as well as the contributions of national and resident professionals who support athletes in achieving peak performance and reaching the podium.

As part of the exhibition’s efforts to evaluate the efficiency of performance enhancement devices and their suitability for Emirati athletes, the organising committee hosted Khalifa Al Kaabi, a member of the UAE national fencing team and Abu Dhabi Fencing Club, and the Mubadala Excellence Programme.

He conducted a practical trial of a device developed by Oxfit, a company specialising in the use of artificial intelligence in sports medicine and performance development.

The device generates adjustable resistance levels that enhance balance, strength, and flexibility—key components of performance in fencing and many other sports.

Kaabi stated that using modern training technologies contributes significantly to improving athletes’ performance and physical capabilities.

He added that he has been practicing fencing for about ten years, during which he has won numerous medals at local, regional, and Arab competitions. He expressed his aspiration to represent the UAE at the Olympic Games in the future.

Kaabi explained that he tested a device designed to measure physical performance indicators, noting that it provides accurate and quantitative assessments that help track an athlete’s progress over time.