International exposure and 11 medals highlight the gains from the preparation program
Sharjah Women’s Sports Clubs taekwondo athletes concluded an international training camp in Almaty, Kazakhstan, held from July 5 to 15, 2026. The camp brought together 11 athletes from the Girls and Cadets categories as part of preparations for the upcoming sports season, alongside athletes from different clubs and training programs, with a focus on improving technical and physical readiness and gaining valuable competitive experience.
The intensive program focused on developing both fundamental and advanced taekwondo skills, while improving reaction speed, concentration, and decision-making under competitive pressure. Each athlete also underwent technical and physical assessments, followed by individualized development plans. The program further addressed sports nutrition, recovery, and injury prevention, helping reinforce the habits required for a professional sporting lifestyle.
The camp also gave the athletes valuable exposure to different training styles and coaching approaches. An internal friendly competition featuring athletes from Kazakhstan and Russia resulted in 11 medals for Sharjah Women’s Sports Clubs — three silver and eight bronze — allowing the athletes to put some of the technical gains made during the camp into practice in a competitive setting.
Commenting on the camp, Abdullah Hatem, Taekwondo Technical Director at Sharjah Women’s Sports Clubs, said:
“International training camps are an essential part of our athlete development system because they place athletes in a different training environment and expose them directly to a variety of technical and competitive approaches. What made this camp particularly important was its focus on younger age groups, which are a crucial stage in developing athletes technically, mentally, and competitively within a structured long-term preparation plan.
“What we saw over the past days was clear progress in the athletes’ reaction speed and their ability to adapt to different styles of competition. These technical gains are just as important as the competition results themselves and provide a strong foundation for upcoming events. They form part of a long-term pathway aimed at developing a generation capable of representing the UAE at continental and international competitions and progressing steadily toward Olympic ambitions.”
Mai Al Amri, Deputy Director of Sharjah Women’s Sports Club and Head of Delegation, said the camp achieved its technical and organizational objectives.
“International camps are a key part of our preparation program because they provide athletes with valuable international exposure, opportunities to exchange experience, and the chance to put what they have learned in training into practice in a different competitive environment,” she said.
“What the athletes achieved during the camp reflects how much they benefited from the program and reinforces the importance of continuing to provide these opportunities, which help improve performance, build confidence, and strengthen readiness for upcoming competitions.”
Comments from the athletes and their families upon the delegation’s return to the UAE also reflected the value of the experience, both through the training program and the opportunity to work alongside athletes shaped by different coaching and training approaches.
Athlete Sheikha Al Tunaiji described the camp as a valuable experience, saying:
“We approached every training session and competition with a strong sense of responsibility in representing our clubs and the UAE. Training and competing alongside athletes with different styles and approaches taught us a great deal, and the experience will give us even greater motivation heading into the next championships.”
The sister of athlete Maria Badr Al Ansari expressed her appreciation to Sharjah Women’s Sports Clubs for the care and support provided to the athletes, noting that opportunities of this kind play an important role in developing their abilities and broadening their experience.
The father of athlete Alya Nabil Ashour said:
“We are proud of what our daughters have achieved, and we hope to see them become champions representing Sharjah and the UAE at the highest levels of sport.”
The mother of athlete Noor Issa Al Shumaili also described the camp as a valuable experience for the athletes, adding:
“We thank Sharjah Women’s Sports for this level of care and support, and we hope this international exposure will motivate them to continue developing and achieve even greater success.”
The camp forms part of Sharjah Women’s Sports Clubs’ plans to provide high-quality preparation programs that develop athletes and strengthen their readiness for domestic and international competition by expanding opportunities for competitive exposure and experience in professional training environments.
