The fourth edition of the Sharjah Women Sports Cup (SWSC 2017) concluded on a high note on Tuesday, with Sharjah Police crowned champions of the archery competition and Sajaya Young Ladies of taking the top spot in the volleyball contest.
Organised by Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation (SWSF), SWSC 2017 was held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of SWSF and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.
Sharjah Police’s prowess with the bow and arrow was proved when it took first place in both the individual and the group archery heats. In the individual contest, the authority was awarded first place after three of its players took all podium positions; Fatima Al Kaabi winning gold, Amal Musallam securing silver and Fatima Al Khawi awarded bronze. In the group archery competition, Sharjah Police’s first place was followed by the Department of Sharjah Ladies Club Branches in second and Sharjah Sports Council in third.
In SWSC 2017’s volleyball competition, Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah clinched first place and were crowned champions, followed by the Sharjah Police team, which secured the silver medal. The bronze medal went to the Department of Social Services team.
“Through organising the fourth edition of SWSC, we aim to provide an opportunity for female employees from the emirate’s local government departments as well as private institutions to compete in friendly rivalry in volleyball and archery competitions. We want to emphasise through this contest that participating in sports competitions is a fundamental right for each woman, regardless of their status or role in society,” said HE Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Director General of SWSF.
Al Naqbi praised the level of organisation for this year’s competition and thanked all the public and private bodies that accepted SWSF’s invitation for participation, with their presence contributing to making the event such a success. She called on government and private entities to set up in-house committees dedicated to supporting women’s sports, vowing to provide the necessary support for them.
“Our participation in SWSC 2017 aligns with our goal of supporting women in every aspect of their lives, with sport an important social focal point, as it is an activity that enhances community bonds. We are delighted to have been crowned with the archery titles in both the individual and group contests, an achievement that reflects the high regard with which we hold this competition and how our policewomen have committedly prepared for the contest,” said Colonel Saif Al Ziri Al Shamsi, Commander in Chief of Sharjah Police.
We are eager to take part in the Women Sports Cup each year and take our involvement in it very seriously, something that was manifested through our success in clinching the competition’s volleyball title. We dedicate this triumph to Sajaya members and promise them that we will do our utmost to secure even more victories in forthcoming sporting events organised by SWSF, a body that is dedicated to supporting women’s sports,” said Sheikha Aisha Khalid Al Qasimi, Director of Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah.
SWSC 2017 saw the participation of 235 female employees from 23 government and private organisations, 139 of whom participated in archery and 96 in volleyball. Organisations taking part included Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC), Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, the Department of SLC’s Branches, Department of Social Services, Sharjah Police, Sharjah Children’s Centres, Sharjah Sports Council, Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, Sharjah Economic Development Department, Sharjah Education Council, Sharjah Sports Channel, Sharjah Learning Centre, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Islamic Bank and Air Arabia. The fourth edition of the annual contests was sponsored by Barakat Juices, Sifati Café, Mara Café and Emirati Fitness.
A competition that brings together female employees from government and private organisations to enjoy sporting activities in a competitive yet fun atmosphere, SWSC’s goal is to integrate women into communal sports and to encourage them to exercise. It aims to discover emerging talent and unlock potential by forming national teams that can compete and win titles in international championships.
