Nominations open for 10th Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award

 The Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA), in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), has opened nominations for the 10th Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, President of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Mother of the Nation.

The award also receives the support and attention of Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and of the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Ladies Clubs.

The organising committee revealed the details of the new edition — the first of its kind in the region — during a press conference held at the headquarters of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi.

The conference was attended by Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Dr Omniyat Mohammed Al-Hajri, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy; and Hamda Al Al Mansouri, Chairwoman of the Judging Committee, along with several sports leaders and media representatives.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 11, 2026, while the nomination period will remain open until September 30, 2026.

The Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award aims to empower women in the sports sector and highlight their achievements throughout the year. It also seeks to enhance competitiveness and excellence in women's sports while creating a supportive and motivating environment that enables female athletes to elevate their performance and achieve further success at the local, Arab, and international levels.

The award carries a total prize value of Dhs2.1 million, compared to Dhs2 million in the 2025 edition, distributed across eight individual and team categories. The individual categories include: Best Arab Sportswoman (AED1 million); Best Emirati Sportswoman (AED200,000); Best Paralympic Sportswoman (AED200,000); Best Young Sportswoman (AED100,000); Best Coach (Dhs100,000); Best Female Sports Media influencer (Dhs100,000) and Best Sports Family (Dhs100,000). The team category includes Best Team, with a prize of Dhs300,000.

A special award for Arab Sports Personality of the Year will also be presented, selected by the judging committee, in recognition of an Arab figure who has made an effective contribution to supporting and developing women's sports.

Awani emphasised that the award represents an extension of the vision of empowering women and highlighting their achievements across various sectors, particularly in sports. He noted that this vision receives generous patronage and support from Sheikha Fatima, as well as close follow-up from Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which has contributed to the development and prosperity of women's sports in the UAE and the Arab world.

He said: "We have been keen to introduce several necessary adjustments in the upcoming edition, including - but not limited to - increasing the value of the Best Arab Sportswoman award to Dhs1 million, compared to Dhs600,000 in the previous edition. We have also amended the title of the Sports Mother Award to become the Best Sports Family Award, in line with the UAE Year of the Family initiative, which highlights the importance of the family in supporting societal stability and strengthening its role in raising future generations and building a more cohesive future."

He added: "The award has witnessed remarkable development in previous editions, both in terms of the increase in the total prize value and the growth in the number of submitted applications. The number of applications received in 2025 reached 325.

The number of Emirati participants also increased to 93 participants in 2025, Meanwhile, the number of nominations for the Best Arab Sportswoman category reached 79 applications in 2025. Most submissions came from the UAE, the Egypt, the Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, and Tunisia, reflecting the award's growing stature and influence at the Arab level."

Dr Omniyat Mohammed Al Hajeri, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, said: "The award aims to support and empower women in the sports field, highlight the achievements of female athletes and women professionals, and encourage excellence and competitiveness in women's sports. The award also contributes to showcasing inspiring role models and strengthening the presence of women's sports in the UAE and the Arab world, in line with the country's vision for empowering women and developing the sports sector."

Hamda Al Al Mansouri, Chairwoman of the Judging Committee, emphasised the pioneering role played by the award in supporting and empowering female athletes and highlighting their inspiring success stories. She noted that the judging committee consists of five members from among distinguished experts and professionals in the fields of sports, media, and management. She explained that the committee members combine academic backgrounds with practical experience, ensuring a professional and transparent evaluation process based on precise criteria that reflect the award's status and prestigious reputation.

Mansouri stressed the importance of fulfilling all nomination requirements for the award, including obtaining the necessary official approvals, affirming that compliance with these procedures contributes to enhancing the integrity of the evaluation process and ensuring equal opportunities for all nominees.

At the conclusion of the press conference, the Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Sports Award honoured its sponsors: The Presidential Court, Adnoc, Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, Dolphin Energy, Abu Dhabi Media Network, and Abu Dhabi Sports Channels, in appreciation of their role and ongoing support in promoting women's sports and empowering women in society.