Sharjah Set to Host 8th Arab Women Sports Tournament with Record Participation
Sharjah will once again shine as a center for women’s athletics in the Arab world as the eighth edition of the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST 2026) prepares to host 63 teams from 16 Arab countries from February 2 to 12, 2026. Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, this singular event will see sportswomen and athletes competing across nine individual and team sports.
The tournament’s sports programme features basketball, volleyball (with official approval of the International Volleyball Federation), table tennis, fencing, athletics, shooting, archery, and, for the first time, the inclusion of taekwondo (G1 international classification) and rowing. Participating nations include Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Morocco, and the UAE.
AWST stands as the only multi-sport women’s tournament of its kind in the Arab world, uniting athletes on a competitive stage endorsed by the League of Arab States and held under the umbrella of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees. Sharjah has proudly hosted the event since its inception in 2012, greatly benefitting from the vision and support of Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi.
During the tournament, ten premier venues across three Sharjah cities will welcome the athletes, including the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre, Sharjah Women’s Sports Club in Al Qulayaa, Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled, Al Dhaid Cultural and Sports Club, Al Hamriyah Cultural and Sports Club, Al Qarayen Children’s Centre, Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled, Al Batayih Cultural and Sports Club, Al Riqa Children’s Centre, and Al Hamriyah Beach.
Details of the tournament’s latest edition were revealed at a press conference at the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre, attended by Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi (Chairman of the AWST Higher Organising Committee), Hanan Al Mahmoud (Vice Chairperson and Head of the Executive Committee), and Moza Al Shamsi (Tournament Director). Dignitaries including Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Humaid Al Qasimi (Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council), Dr. Abdelrahman Bin Taliah (Air Arabia’s Director Corporate and Executive Affairs), and representatives from the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sport also took part, together with sponsors, sports officials, and media.
A highlight was the unveiling of the official anthem for AWST 2026, “Arab Women”, an artistic collaboration by noted local singer Hussain Al Jassmi, with musical composition by Fayez Al Saeed and lyrics penned by Dr. Abdul Salam Al Hammadi.
Delivering the keynote, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said:
“Over the years, the tournament has bolstered its role as an extension of Sharjah’s developmental project, established and nurtured by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who consistently emphasises the role of sport within society, particularly among youth, in instilling national values, developing talent, and preparing future generations.”
He further stated:
“Since its launch in 2012 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, AWST has served as a practical model of sport as a tool for community development and women’s empowerment. Founded upon Her Highness’s vision of sport as a space for connection and opportunity, the tournament has provided a dedicated Arab platform to celebrate gifted female athletes and showcase their inspiring journeys at regional and international levels, reinforcing Sharjah’s status as an Arab hub for building confidence, capability, and competitive women’s sporting role models.”
He concluded:
“The tournament has contributed to the steady advancement of Arab women’s sport, reflected in the increased presence of Arab sportswomen on international podiums and the growing strength of women’s clubs as sustainable institutions capable of developing future female sports leaders.”
From her side, Hanan Al Mahmoud emphasized:
“AWST has evolved into a leading platform for sporting excellence and a unifying Arab space for elite athletes. It embodies the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi for fair competition grounded in sportsmanship, a shared Arab identity, and the belief that every participant is a true partner in this journey.”
She continued:
“This edition marks a new phase in AWST’s growth with the introduction of taekwondo under the international G1 classification and the addition of rowing, expanding competitive opportunities for clubs and athletes. We also confirm the official approval of the volleyball competitions by the International Volleyball Federation, further aligning the tournament with recognised international regulations and competition standards.”
In a significant move to integrate sports and knowledge, the tournament will coincide with the second “Excel” international scientific sports conference, themed “Integrating Movement into Education”, organized by the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation. This academic gathering will share research-backed insights, including outcomes of thousands of school-based physical assessments aimed at improving fitness indicators from early ages.
Moza Al Shamsi noted:
“Since its inception, each edition has built on the last, introducing deeper expertise, more streamlined operational procedures, stronger partnerships, and increasingly specialised teams. With its eighth edition, the tournament has matured in both concept and stature, expanding the scale of its sports and competitions and establishing itself as an Arab platform guided by clear operational standards and fully integrated logistical, media, and medical frameworks operating as a single unit.”
Training and competitions in specific sports will be held at designated locations:
- Fencing and table tennis at Al Qarayen Children’s Centre and the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre
- Athletics at Al Thiqa Club for the Disabled and Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre (hammer throw and pole vault)
- Shooting at Al Dhaid Cultural and Sports Club, the Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre, and Sharjah Women’s Sports Club in Al Qulayaa
- Archery at Al Hamriyah Cultural and Sports Club and Sharjah Women’s Olympic Centre
- Rowing at Al Hamriyah beach and the Cultural and Sports Club
- Taekwondo at Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled
- Volleyball at Sharjah Women’s Sports Club in Al Qulayaa and Al Riqa Children’s Centre
- Basketball at Al Batayih Cultural and Sports Club and Al Riqa Children’s Centre
The press conference also introduced the tournament’s mascot: “Raya”, a female jerboa, inspired by the UAE’s native species. Raya symbolizes intelligence, adaptability, and resilience, and is designed as an emblem of the empowerment of Arab women in sport, capturing ambition, competitiveness, and national pride in line with Sharjah’s vision for women.
The 2026 Arab Women Sports Tournament is set to be the largest yet, serving as a powerful platform for empowerment, excellence, and unity among Arab women athletes across the region.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
