UAE karate season ends on high note as Shabab Al Ahli, Sharjah star in Al Etihad Cup

The curtain came down on the 2025–2026 UAE karate season on Saturday with the staging of the Al Etihad Cup for kumite teams and inaugural edition of Para-Karate Championship (for People of Determination).

Featuring broad participation from clubs and sports centers from across the UAE, both the events were organised by UAE Karate Federation and were held at the Sharjah Club’s Al Hazanah branch hall.

The events saw participation of 168 male and female athletes representing nine clubs and sports centers in the Al Etihad Cup for kumite teams, alongside 47 athletes in the Para-Karate Championship representing eight clubs and sports centers.

This strong participation underscores the UAE Karate Federation’s commitment to supporting sporting talent and promoting the values of challenge, determination, and excellence among all categories of athletes.

The inaugural edition of the Para-Karate Championship (for People of Determination).

highlighted the technical abilities and fighting spirit of the participating athletes, who delivered impressive performances that earned widespread praise from attendees.

The event reflected the growing interest in sports for people of determination and efforts to further integrate them into the broader sporting landscape.

Shabab Al Ahli topped Al Etihad Cup for kumite teams competitions, claiming all female category titles after winning the junior girls, young women, and women’s divisions.

The club also secured the overall excellence shield for the girls, junior girls, young women, and women categories.

Sharjah Individual Sports Club won the titles in the junior boys, youth, and men’s categories, earning the overall excellence shield for the cadets, juniors, youth, and men divisions.

The men and women’s kumite finals featured high technical standards and exciting contests that captivated fans who attended the season finale.

The federation also honored the season’s outstanding technical staffs in the female categories, led by Shabab Al Ahli, followed by Dubai Police, Fujairah Martial Arts Club, and Magmadoor Academy. In the male categories, Sharjah Individual Sports Club ranked first, followed by Shabab Al Ahli, Al Dhaid Club, and Kalba Club.

The closing ceremony was attended by Engineer Marwan Senkal, Second Vice President of the Karate Federation; Engineer Humaid Shams, Secretary General of both the UAE and Arab Karate Federations; and several members of the Federation’s Board of Directors, including Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Competitions Committee; Ahmed Salem Baslaib, Vice Chairman of the National Teams Committee and Engineer Suleiman Al Hajri, Head of Individual Sports at Sharjah Sports Club.

Also present on the occasion were Mohammed Burahima, Board Member of Sharjah Sports Club and Chairman of the Corporate Communications Department; Dr. Mohammed Issa Al Mazmi, member of Sharjah Club Investment Company; Mohammed Abbas, Executive Director of the UAE Karate Federation; Hisham Serry, Technical Director; and international referee Jaber Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Referees Committee.

At the conclusion of the event, commemorative shields were exchanged between Sharjah Sports Club and the UAE Karate Federation.

The organising committees, distinguished technical staff, referees, media representatives, medical team, and volunteers were honored in recognition of their valuable contributions to the successful organization of the season and the championships.