Taekwondo competitions of 8th AWST to begin on Feb.10, featuring six teams

Taekwondo competitions will begin on Tuesday, February 10, as part of the eighth edition of the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST 2026), organised by Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS).

Taking place from February 2 to 12 across the Emirate of Sharjah, the tournament brings together 63 teams from 16 Arab countries competing in nine individual and team sports.

Making its first appearance on the AWST programme, taekwondo enters the tournament with official G1 classification from World Taekwondo. This recognition strengthens the technical and competitive standing of the event and enables participating athletes to earn points toward their international rankings, linking their performance to global classification pathways.

The taekwondo competition will feature six teams representing five Arab countries, reflecting the growing depth of women’s taekwondo in the region and the diversity of technical approaches. Competing teams include Sharjah Women’s Sports Club and Fujairah Martial Arts Club, Al Badi’a Women’s Club from the Kingdom of Bahrain, Al Fatat Sports Club from Kuwait, Gaz Al Shamal Club from the Republic of Iraq, and Al Widad Sports Club from the Kingdom of Morocco.

In this context, Abdullah Saleh Al Naqbi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled, stated that Khorfakkan is welcoming the tournament amid the distinctive winter ambience of the “Bride of the East Coast,” affirming that the club’s facilities and teams have been fully mobilised to deliver hosting at the highest standards—combining precise organisation with the character of the venue to provide delegations with a comprehensive experience inside the arenas and beyond.

Sharjah Women’s Sports also invited the public and self-defense sports enthusiasts to attend the competitions and support Arab women athletes in an atmosphere that reflects the continued development of women’s sports across the region.

Host venues and clubs have confirmed the completion of all maintenance and technical preparations, ensuring operational smoothness, readiness to receive delegations and spectators, and a comprehensive event experience commensurate with the scale of AWST 2026.

The introduction of G1-classified taekwondo marks a significant step in the tournament’s ongoing evolution, offering athletes high-level competitive exposure while strengthening the technical readiness of Arab women’s clubs and national teams.

The taekwondo programme aligns with AWST’s broader vision to advance women’s self-defense sports, expand Arab women’s presence in internationally recognised sports, and further reinforce Sharjah’s standing as a leading Arab platform capable of hosting accredited competitions in line with best organisational practices.

Meanwhile, the volleyball at the 8th AWST has gained a major competitive and technical boost, after receiving official competition approval from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), alongside Asian refereeing accreditation from the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC).

Together, the two recognitions elevate the tournament’s volleyball programme to an officially acknowledged level—strengthening match governance, officiating quality, and the tournament’s overall technical standing.

With FIVB approval in place, matches will be played under internationally sanctioned regulations and recorded within the sport’s official framework—allowing athletes to earn international ranking points and linking performance outcomes to global evaluation and classification pathways.

The step adds a higher competitive dimension to participation and supports players’ long-term progression across regional and international stages.

On the officiating side, the AVC has classified the competition as a Zonal Level Event, enabling it to be formally recognized within the Asian International Referee Candidates Course (AIRCC) evaluation pathway. The accreditation also includes the appointment of an official AVC referee supervisor to oversee match management, ensure officiating standards, and submit certified technical reports following the conclusion of the competition.

Commenting on the development, Hamed Al Roussi, Secretary of the AVC Referees Committee and one of the region’s leading international volleyball referees, said the Zonal Level classification reflects the AVC’s confidence in the tournament’s technical and organizational standards. He added that such accreditation contributes directly to refereeing development and raises the quality of match delivery in line with the confederation’s approved benchmarks.

Volleyball action begins on Tuesday, February 3.

The volleyball competition features six teams representing five Arab nations: Sharjah Women’s Sports Club and Al Wasl Club (UAE), Al-Fatat Sports Club (Kuwait), Taldara Club (Syria), Al Shabiba Al Bouchrieh Club (Lebanon), and Akkad Ankawa Club (Iraq)—in one of the tournament’s most anticipated team sports, known for its strong technical and fan appeal.

Matches will be hosted at Sharjah Women’s Sports Club (Al Qulayaa), which will also accommodate part of the teams’ official training schedule, alongside the Al Riqa Children Center. The arrangement ensures operational clarity, supports team readiness, and maintains a smooth competition flow throughout the tournament.

Mai Al Ameri, Deputy Director of Sharjah Women’s Sports Club, confirmed that venues and supporting services are fully prepared, noting the club’s readiness to host both training sessions and matches within an integrated operational framework.