If you are involved within the thriving events and sport scene currently in the UAE, it is now that time when the energy levels are starting to fade. Journalists, PR companies and Events management teams are on the final pieces of “wax in their candle” so to speak and are eager for the summer to come and finally have that holiday.

If you are not in one of these fields then I hope you are enjoying the festival of sport that is ongoing through winter here in the Emirates. There is so many things to see, take part in and watch, we are truly spoilt in every way.

Apart from all the major events, it is good to see the different types of non professional sport events taking place. The Hercules Trophy and the Abu Dhabi Corporate Games were deemed to both be successful events, bringing their own unique sporting angle in the workplace to bond and promote fitness.

One thing within Sport I would like to see more of here is the promotion, expansion and development of School Sport Competitions at all levels. I have stumbled across recently some competition in varying sport but it does seem a little under the radar at times.

There are so many Schools and Uni's here in the UAE, the powers that be should be creating solid structure in the many different sports to create school champions across all the Emirates  both individually and as one. Like I mentioned there are some such school competitions but these should be shouted from the rooftops and in turn would encourage some real competition to help produce some future sporting heroes for the UAE.

If you think about it, the facilities here in most sports, indoor or outdoor are of a pretty good standard and in most cases superb. Other well known sporting powerhouses would bite your hand off for some of these facilities and in fact many sportsmen and women do come here to train taking advantage of these and of course the climate.

It was good to see the Dubai Sports Council launching an initiative for a inter University Sports Tournament recently. Well done DSC, lets do more of this and not just always bank on bringing over huge sporting celebs, the rewards would feel just as good creating some School or youth level sporting trophies that would, in time, become institutions and a legacy to proud of.

Come on the powers that be, put these plans in place across as many sports as you can, hopefully they are already being done.

Until the next comment

The Editor

The UAE Athletic Federation is pleased to announce the second annual Always 5K Women’s Run under the patronage of H.H. sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council was a success.

We had a record number of 2000+ entrants for the second year and we expect more than double for the 5k in 2012 stated Ahmad Al Kamali, IAAF Council member and President of the UAE Athletic Federation. We were very proud to have the title sponsor of the Run “Always” participate in this lovely celebration of women.

Many women had great comments about the Run.  One runner stated. “I wanted to say a quick thanks for organising a super event. I participate in a lot of runs and really enjoyed doing the 10km on the weekend. From my point of few it was fantastically organised and I loved the idea of collecting shoes for charity!”

Always stated it was great to help inspire women to discover the positive power of exercise and was proud to be title sponsor of the event.

Always would like to continue to create positive role models and work to create a culture where fit and healthy women are celebrated and more women feel inspired to take part.

We are currently discussing the dates for next year’s Run with some new ideas and sponsors, so we can expect an even bigger event with some world known runners participating stated Event organizer Liesa Euton.

“We are grateful for the following sponsorship for the Always 5 K  Dubai Women’s Run,  Always, TNT,  Nakheel, Fitness First, CPI, Reebok, Gloria Hotel, Arab Radio Network, BBC Good Food, Mother Baby Child, SME,  Khansaheb, Bank of NY Mellon, Intex mobile, Atlantis on the Palm,  ME FIT Pro, 360 sports, Ask International , Pink Pepper, Urban Energy Fitness, Manadara Spa and Thai Privilege Spa as a well as Al Liali Jewelers” stated Event Director Liesa Euton.

The Organizing Committee of CBD Athletics Championship for Youth has accomplished preparations to launch the event, from 19^th to 21^st Jan. 2012 at the Dubai Police Officers' Club.

The Championship is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai & Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

The event to be organized by the Commercial Bank of Dubai and Dubai Sports Council with participation of more than 1000 participants representing 42 schools to exceed the pre-announced target, which was 500 participants from 25 governmental & private schools.

The dramatic rush confirms schools' desire to join such championships to enhance the sports sector in general & athletic game in particular

The event to be arranged in coordination with Dubai School Agency and UAE Athletic Association, as per applicable official regulations.

The Organizing Committee has ratified financial awards to be rewarded to Championship's winners, taking into consideration that the event to include 25 individual competitions beside several other sub-activities.

The Championship's rewards are the greatest of its kind, to be allocated for school athletic competition, not only in UAE but in the entire Arab area.

In this respect, it is to be mentioned that CBD has allocated a balance of one million Dirhams to fund operational fees & winners' rewards.

Rewards are allocated to develop sports facilities of winning schools, aiming to boost the school sports / enhance the practice of athletic games.

Mr. Yaqoub Yousuf Hassan, the Deputy Executive Chairman for CBD said: "We have exerted common efforts with DSC to organize this Championship. We back students of multi nationalities & levels to enhance style of life / improve physical fitness / enable students to join fair competition / discover future talents".

He added: "We are currently taking preparatory procedures to organize the first edition of the Championship. We will upgrade the level of work in the future to discover new talents who may represent UAE in international events. The first edition's topic is "Endeavor to Attain Excellence", driven from the thought of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Makroum the Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aiming to boost the spirit of competition and motivate participants to attain victories".

Dr. Ahmed Al-Sharif, the Secretary General of DSC said: "The Championship is a model for promising cooperation between DSC & national private sector to enhance the sports level / provide society with distinctive service. The Championship reflects recommendations of the Individual Games Forum, arranged by DSC. It is also part of a deliberate plan to boost & activate individual games. Swimming competition has already been organized and we are currently acting to arrange athletic event. DSC also organizes Hamdan Bin Mohammed School Games Tournament, exploited to motivate students to contact each others and to present better sports levels along with helping ambitious students to represent the country in international events. We have the pleasure to launch a coordinating work with Dubai Police".

The Championship to include races in racecourses & fields, to be classified as following:

· 100 M (U 12 / U 15 / U 17 boys) & (U 15 girls).

· 200 M (U 15 / U 17 boys) & (U 15 girls).

· 600 M (U 12 boys) & (U 15 girls).

· 1000 M (U 15 boys).

· 1500 M (U17 boys).

· 4 – 100 M (U 12 boys) & (U 15 girls).

· 4 – 200 M (U 15 / U 17 boys)

· Long Jump (U 12 / U 15 / U 17 boys) & (U 17 girls).

· High Jump (U 12 / U 15 / U 17 boys).

· Shot Put (U 15 / U 17 boys) & (U 15 girls).

The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) will reward clubs in the emirate with end of season awards based on various criteria laid down by the sports body.

This decision was taken at the 15th meeting of the DSC Executive Council chaired by Mattar Al Tayer on Monday.

The DSC has undertaken the task of raising the level of clubs housed within Dubai in attempt to give youngsters the opportunities to excel in their chosen sports disciplines.

Keeping this in mind, the executive council of the DSC was of the opinion that such a task also needs to have a proper evaluation system that will portray the best of the clubs on a set criteria and guidelines through the course of the season.

Starting now, all clubs in Dubai will be evaluated as per regulations laid out by the DSC Secretariat General under Law 11 of 2009 that aims to enhance clubs’ performances based on efforts exerted by the bodies in promoting excellence so as to inculcate growth of a sporting community.

The draft on regulations had been submitted before the DSC for ratification in the middle of February after the clubs had offered various recommendations in the framing of the rules.

After all clubs in Dubai are evaluated by a special panel appointed by the DSC, the winners will be rewarded with special recognition awards at the Sports Excellence Festival to be held in September.

“This is a step in the right direction for sports and people associated with sports in Dubai,” noted Al Tayer.

“The Executive Office is eternally grateful to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of DSC for his support and personal interest in ensuring we take sports to the next level,” he added.

Recently, Shaikh Hamdan had instructed the appointment of UAE trainers as assistant coaches in all clubs starting from the 2011-2012 season in an attempt to nurture local talent by assuming technical and administrative responsibilities.

Urging all clubs to take full advantage of new regulations being implemented at club level, Al Tayer predicted the foresight of Shaikh Hamdan’s decisions. “Shaikh Hamdan’s decisions are bound to have long-term effects on the sports sector. And the officials from various clubs too have been showing a lot of support to this unique venture,” Al Tayer noted.

DSC singled out Al Ahli and Al Shabab for taking the initiative in establishing specialized medical facilities in accordance with the guidelines of the Sports Medicine Committee of Dubai and run in coordination with the DSC and the Dubai Health Authority. Al Tayer urged the other clubs in the emirate to follow suit and get access to proper health care at the club level.

Dubai Sports Council is decided to organize “Dubai Second International Symposium for Physical Activity” on 10th May 2011 at Intercontinental Festival City Hotel. The Symposium is to be held with a massive participation of various governmental & private corporations from UAE & abroad.

The Symposium is part of DSC’s permanent efforts to increase social awareness with the importance of physical activity and make sports as style of life for everyone, so that they may enjoy fit body & proper mentality and be able to deal with life’s needs & burdens.

The one-day Symposium is to include several specialized lectures.
Participants will present working papers and proceed with various discussions aiming to reach best recommendations & outputs increasing the number of those who practice physical activities among all classes of society.

The Symposium is to focus on several points; the most vital of which are: programs & projects aiming to boost the practice of physical activities in Dubai / the importance of physical activities to reduce chronic diseases / influence of physical activity to increase productivity / future plans to develop physical activity.

It is to be mentioned that DSC organized the Symposium for the first time in 2009 in which 12 recommendations were issued the most important of which was the launch of Dubai Physical Activity Program (Dubai Pulse) targeting all categories of society and aiming to have healthy & productive members. Dubai Pulse Program includes five activities; these are: Dubai Swims / Dubai Walks / Dubai Runs / Dubai Bikes along with a fifth sports activity to be held at Hatta.
The Program was held with massive participation of various classes of society.

As part of the “Future Champions Project”, Dubai International School (Nad Al-Shiba) hosted a meeting with participations of more than 170 students of various ages.

The meeting aims to make attendees acquainted with successful experiences of members of Dubai sports council’s Program for Talents, allowing them to be involved in atmosphere of success. It also aims to motivate the new generation to practice sports activities and to specialise in a particular kind of sport, aiming to attain excellence & achievements for the UAE.

The "Future Champions Project" is part of DSC's efforts to enhance juniors sector and to select promising talents and motivate them to be future champions.

Fatima Al-Jinahi – tennis’s champion – talked about her career & tackled achievements she has attained in both the local & Gulf fields. The meeting was managed Mr. Ahmed Al-Rahoumi the Director of Corporate Communication in DSC and attended by Mr. Akram Zayoor the Director of Dubai International School / several teachers of Dubai International School.

Mr. Akram Zayoor the Director of Dubai International School appreciated the Project which allows junior students to be acquainted with successful experiences of promising talents. He said: “The Project encourages students to organize time / provides distinctive guides who have attained balance between academic & sports fields and thus gained local & Gulf achievements.

The meeting focused on the main criteria of success for sportspersons; parts of which are to: arrange times to deal with academic, sports & entertaining sides simultaneously / select qualified coaches / start practice of sports activities earlier / follow advanced training methods / adopt proper nutrition system / take sufficient times of rest / decide goals & exert efforts to gain the same / get family’s support.

In conclusion of the meeting, Fatima Al-Jinahi presented appreciative certificate & memorial to the School’s Director / signed on shirts of sports juniors who have effectually participated in the meeting and presented deep questions to get benefits of successful experiences of Al-Jinahi.

It is worth-mentioning that Fatima Al-Jinahi is one of the Champions who have presented distinctive performance during last the years. She has got the first place in local competitions twice / Gulf competitions and Asian events one time each, thanks to the great support of DSC’s Program for Talents which has been launched by the Council in 2008.  The Program selects sports juniors who are distinctive in individual games to provide them with full support / training sessions to boost technical levels. The Program also provides members with healthy, psychological, social & financial supports / improves suitable circumstances for the practice of sports activities / offers training camps in various world countries. DSC pays members' expenses in sports, social & academic fields to make them qualified enough to serve UAE.

As part of the first stage of the Project, Al-Shabab Club hosted the first meeting last week. The meeting was held with massive participation of several juniors from various teams of Al-Shabab Club; such as: football team, basketball team, volleyball team, table tennis team & handball team.

It is to be mentioned that Al-Ahli Club is decided to host the third meeting next week.

Dubai Sports Council Open Badminton Championship for Ladies was concluded recently. The Championship was held with participation of 64 players of multi-nationalities from various governmental & private corporations in Dubai.

The Championship took place in an ideal sports atmosphere, as participating ladies have spent splendid times which are full of exciting competitions.

It is worth-mentioning that DSC had offered invitations to ladies of multi-nationalities to join the Championship. The response to the invitation was tremendous. The competition has been classified into two categories; these are: U 21 competition & Above 21 competition.

Gadi Abu Munsaf got the title of U 21 competition / Muna Abdulla attained the second place / while Fatima Ahmed & Maitha Saeed shared the third place.

Muna Mohammed Al-Sahlawi from RTA got the first place in the Above 21 competition / Hamda Al-Shamsi from Dubai Courts got the second place / Nadia Ali from RTA & Lodi Oliger from Sharjah City Center shared the third place.

In conclusion of the competitions, Ms. Ebtisam Al-Suwaidi the Head of Woman Sports Section in the Special Sports Club and Ms. Hamda Al-Shamsi the Member of Woman Sports Development Committee in DSC have rewarded winners with titles & appreciative awards. Laila Al-Muhrazi was rewarded as the ideal player in the Championship / Thuraya Ahmed got the award of the youngest player while Eqbal Taha was rewarded as the oldest player / Khawla Al-Muhrazi got the award of the good sports morals.

The Championship is part of DSC’s efforts to popularize the practice of physical activities among ladies / encourage them to be fit, elegant & healthy.

The Championship will also push ladies forward to shoulder responsibilities in family & society in general.

DSC acts to boost woman sports and to develop this vital sector of society. The Council has fixed programs, activities & championships to be held along the year as per a precise study for the actual situation of woman sport.

As part of the Academies Week Program, Al-Shabab Club reviewed details of the Club’s Football Academy Facilities, The facilities of Al-Shabab Club Football Academy – constructed recently – is currently refurbished and decided to be officially inaugurated within the launch of the sports season 2011-2012.

The Academies’ Week is organized by Dubai Sports Council with massive participation of experts from UAE & abroad, The Academies Week is part of Dubai’s 1st International Forum for Football Academies.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Sharif the Secretary General of DSC appreciated the great efforts exerted by Al-Shabab Club to develop juniors’ sector in various sports games & in football game in particular. He confirmed that Al-Shabab Club Academy reflects the high professional & technical thoughts for board members & other staff in the Club.

The review was attended by Ms. Laila Suhail the Member of the Executive Office in DSC / Mr. Ali Al-Aamli the CEO for Al-Nasr Club Football Co. / several official persons in DSC & Dubai clubs.

Mr. Nabil Fikri & Mr. Abdulla Al-Suwaidi the Technical Supervisors in the Academy presented all details & steps to be taken for launching the project.

Al-Shabab Club’s Board has exerted utmost efforts to provide a secured atmosphere for training sessions and to have a promising football future that conforms to professionalism criteria. The aim of the Academy is to qualify juniors and to help them enjoy physical & technical fitness. The Academy acts according to educational, cultural & sports programs to be implemented by specialists. The Academy will also develop training programs / qualify coaches who are specialized in the football field / contact with juniors’ guardians to attain utmost benefits.

The Academy’s facilities contain several sections; part of which is the residential area which accommodates 40 persons. The residential area to be used as internal preparatory camps for important matches and will also be exploited as accommodation for players of suburb areas. The Academy's facilities also include eight rooms to be used as classrooms / library to be well-equipped with scientific books.

The facilities to contain six dressing rooms / offices for technical & administrative staff / referees’ rooms / four rooms for physiotherapy & massage / Gym. hall to be equipped with advanced sports means / prayer room.

The facilities is also equipped with a restaurant to accommodate more than 200 persons. The restaurant to provide meals according to food program, prepared by nutrition specialists. It includes a kitchen to serve the entire building.

Al-Shabab Club Academy to decide educational & sports programs / qualify football players / help them enjoy good sports moral, physical fitness & basic skills / develop level of common performance / organize internal & external festivals to enhance players’ skills / qualify technical & administrative bodies in a professional way via training sessions aiming to enrich their professional concepts.

It is worth-mentioning that Al-Shabab Club Football Schools organize several social, cultural & religious activities along with sports activities such as: Saeed Bin Maktoum Al-Maktoum U 10 Football Championship, launched in 2002 / Dubai Football Clubs U 8 Festival, launched in 2008.

Dubai has lined up the Continental Beach Soccer World Cup at the end of this year and the 17th Asian Volleyball Championships in 2013 as part of its portfolio of international sporting events in the emirate.

These decisions were taken during the 17th meeting of the Executive Office of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) presided by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Executive Office, at the DSC premises in Al Garhoud, earlier this week.

The Continental Beach Soccer World Cup will bring together the champions from five continents and the event will be held at the same venue in Jumeirah where the 2009 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was conducted. As per details available this will be a week-long competition with the teams and other details of the tournament being made available at a later date.

The Executive Office also decided to back the hosting of the 2013 Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championships after the UAE Volleyball Association decided to bid for this continental competition in two years time. The 2011 Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championships involving the best sides from Asia is scheduled to be held in neighbouring Tehran from September 23-October 3.

The DSC also took a decision to reward members of the UAE national team that clinched the Asian Champions crown during the Asian Beach Games held in Muscat at the end of 2010. The team, however, fell at the final hurdle while attempting to qualify for a fourth successive time for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in Ravenna, Italy later this summer.

The Executive Office lauded the success achieved through the 2nd Dubai International Symposium for Physical Activities and the 1st Dubai International Football Academies Forum that was part of the Dubai Academies Week. Both events were organized by the DSC earlier this month with participation from specialists and experts from international sports bodies.

Al Tayer praised the high level of organization and variety of topics covered at both events through which the people involved have acquired several benefits. He was hopeful that the topics covered by leading minds from the world of football from FIFA, AFC and national association representatives from Netherlands, England, Italy, Spain and Germany during the 1st Dubai International Forum for Academies would go a long way in helping the five Dubai clubs choose the best academy structure.

The Executive Office also decided to launch the “Tamhin Programme” under which school students from the emirate will be trained at sports clubs and corporations during their summer vacation in order to empower them in sports management while enabling them to spend their leisure fruitfully.

Considering its priority for the development of sports among women in the emirate, the council said that a press conference will be held on June 6 to lay a strategic plan for the future.

The Executive Office also approved the agenda of the sports events to be held during the remaining part of this year in Dubai. The DSC will therefore issue an official events calendar for 2011 including all sports championships and activities to be organized by DSC or under its auspices.

As part of "Hamdan Bin Mohammed School Games Tournament", Al-Zahra School got the title of ladies' volleyball competition while Al-Watan Al-Arabi School gained the title of the boys' competition.

"Hamdan Bin Mohammed School Games Tournament" is organized by Dubai Sports Council in coordination with Dubai School Agency for the second successive year.

Al-Zahra School overcame all obstacles & challenges and got the first place in the competition. Al-Zahra School defeated Al-Khansa School 2-1 / Umm Saquim School 2-1. Al-Khansa School got the second place while the third place was gotten by Umm Saquim School.

Al-Want Al-Arabi got the first place in Boys’ competition / Dubai National School (Al-Barsha) got the second place while Religious Institute attained the third place.

Hamdan Bin Mohammed School Games Tournament's awards are the most precious allover the area. In this respect, it is to be mentioned that total amounts of rewards allocated for the volleyball competition is Dhs 90 thousands; to be awarded as following: winner to get financial rewards of Dhs 20 thousands / second placed to get Dhs 15 thousands / while the third placed to be rewarded with Dhs 10 thousands.

The competitions were attended by several official persons from DSC & Dubai School Agency.

The event was also attended by coaches of juniors’ sector of Dubai Clubs who are keen to watch the matches in order to select promising talents. The Tournament is part of DSC’s strategy aiming to accomplish the steps of great success attained in Hamdan Bin Mohammed School Football Championship, held for two successive years. The Tournament also enhances the plan of sports activities & competitions, implemented by Dubai School Agency during the current school season. It allows local students in governmental & private schools to meet each other and to be involved in fair competitions.

The Tournament – which includes several individual & group sports games for both male and female students – has been launched in Nov. 2010.

In football competitions, Zayed School has got the title of U 12 competition / Al-Muhalab School has attained the title of 12 years old competition. In basketball competition, Dubai National School (Al-Barsha) has attained the first place in boys’ categories while Dubai National School (Nad Al-Shiba) has got the title of ladies’ category.

Majid Mohammed from Omar Bin Al-Khatab School got the first place in the 3 kilometers Road Race Competition, which was held with participation of more than 800 students from various governmental & private schools.

In the Athletic game competition, Mohammed Al-Hadi Al-Tijani – from Dubai International School (Al-Gharhoud Branch) got the first place in the 100-meters race / Ali Abul Rasoul from Dubai International School (Al-Gharhoud Branch) got the first place in the long jump competition / Abdulla Darweesh Hassan and Hamdan Salih Naji from Al-Shafee School got the titles of the shot put competition & 400-meters race respectively / Dubai National School (Al-Barsha Branch) got the title of the relay race 4*100 meters.

Dubai National School dominated all U 12 swimming competitions. Abdulla Karam got the title the 50-meters freestyle swimming race & 50-meters breaststroke swimming race / Batti Mohammed attained the title of the backstroke swimming.

In U 10 swimming competition, Hamad Al-Tamimi from Dubai National School (Al-Barsha Branch) attained the first place in 25-meters backstroke / Juma Essa from Al-Jahiz School got the title of 25-meters freestyle swimming race / Essa Abdulla from Dubai Modern School attained the first place in the 25-meters breaststroke swimming race.

DSC to organize a ceremony 7th June 2011 to award students & schools – who/which have attained first places in various competitions of the Tournament – with medals, cups & financial rewards.

It is worth-mentioning that the Tournament is part of DSC’s efforts to encourage & support talented students in various sports games.

Dubai Sports Council