8th AWST concludes in Sharjah, cements its role as leading platform for women’s sport

Sharjah has concluded the eighth edition of the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST 2026) following ten days of competition that brought together athletes from 65 teams representing 16 Arab nations. Competing across nine individual and team sports, the latest edition reinforced AWST’s standing as the region’s leading women’s club-sport event, and the only tournament of its kind.

The closing of AWST 2026 marked a milestone with broader participation, stronger technical performance, and the introduction of two new sports, namely taekwondo with G1 international classification, and rowing. The programme reflected the tournament’s competitive scope and underscored its steady evolution in both scale and technical standards, as well as its growing impact across the Arab region.

 Sharjah Women’s Sports Club claimed the volleyball title in competitions held under the accreditation of the International Volleyball Federation, reclaiming the championship 12 years after its last title at the tournament’s second edition in 2014.

 In basketball, Jordan’s Al Fuheis Club won the title for a third consecutive time. Egypt’s Petrojet Club secured a table tennis treble, winning the team, doubles, and singles titles in its first appearance at AWST.

 In athletics, the UAE topped the medal table with 18 medals. Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club led the medal standings in taekwondo as the sport made its first appearance in the tournament programme. Egypt’s Salma Khaled Badour won gold in beach rowing singles, marking the sport’s first official podium at AWST.

 Sharjah Women’s Sports Club also dominated the team archery competitions, while Oman’s Salalah Club topped the fencing medal table. In shooting, Bahrain’s Safaa Al Dossari won rifle gold, and Riffa Sports Club led the team standings.

 Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the AWST Supreme Organising Committee, said the eighth edition reflected a clear approach to tournament development, both in sporting and human impact. He noted that the expanded participation and higher technical standards signal growing confidence in AWST as a pan-Arab platform.

 He added that the tournament continues to consolidate its position as an Arab initiative that builds stronger links between clubs and athletes, and at the same time expands women’s participation in competitive sport.

He underscored that AWST achieved technical and organisational success thanks to the guidance and patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and the belief in sport as a tool for human development and Arab cohesion.

 Sheikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, Chair of AWST’s Supervision and Follow-up Committee, said the eighth edition represented a step forward administratively and technically, thanks to the resources and efforts mobilised by multiple committees and partners, most notably by Sheikha Jawaher.

 She noted that this development enhanced AWST’s standing as a leading Arab platform for fair competition. She remarked that the distribution of medals across multiple teams and countries reflected broader participation and competitive balance, while the 8th tournament also showcased a natural progression in performance, from experienced athletes to emerging talents taking part for the first time.

Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Al Anzi, Secretary General of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees (UANOC), said the eighth edition demonstrated advanced levels of technical and organisational readiness across all sports, citing disciplined competition management, accurate implementation of regulations, and strong coordination among committees. He noted that those factors reinforce confidence among national federations and Arab clubs in the tournament’s continuity, and strengthen AWST’s position as a pioneering championship on the agenda of Arab sporting events.

 Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of the AWST Supreme Organising Committee and Chairperson of the Executive Committee, said the eighth edition reflected effective integration among partners, applauding the role of host clubs and their sports facilities in delivering competitions to the highest technical and organisational standards.

 She thanked the host clubs’ boards for their close follow-up throughout the tournament and their continued support in ensuring optimal delivery, noting that the mobilisation of specialised teams, expertise, and logistical services formed a core pillar of AWST’s success. She also highlighted the contribution of local federations in supporting Arab federations technically and officiating-wise, enhancing competition quality across all sports.

 Moza Al Shamsi, Director of AWST, said the tournament saw strong spectator attendance across competitions, noting that the stands were active not only during team sports but also across individual games, reflecting wider community engagement and support for women’s sport.

 She added: “We appreciate the role of Sharjah schools and The Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, through their continued support for strengthening sports culture and their cooperation in organising field visits for students and members to attend competitions.”

 Participating delegations praised the organisation and technical standard of the tournament, noting clear progress from one edition to the next, whether in venue readiness, scheduling accuracy, or the efficiency of competition management.

 AWST 2026 was hosted across 10 sports venues distributed across cities in Sharjah. Competitions were officiated by 201 referees, including 67 women referees, reflecting the growing base of female expertise in sports officiating across the Arab world.