Sharjah Women’s Sports organized the Early Childhood Sports 1st Festival, bringing together 68 young athletes aged four to seven from training centers at Sharjah Women’s Sports Clubs in Sharjah, Al Dhaid, and Kalba. The event was held at the gymnastics hall of the Sharjah Women’s Sports Olympic Centre.
The festival featured a range of fundamental gymnastics skills, including floor exercises, balance beam activities, and simplified exercises on the parallel bars and vaulting horse. The program was designed to suit the participating age groups while helping develop balance, motor coordination, and self-confidence.
The Early Childhood Sports 1st Festival forms part of the organization’s developmental approach to building a sporting foundation from the earliest years through carefully designed experiences that take into account children’s physical and cognitive characteristics at this stage of development.
Gymnastics was selected as the core sport because of its important role in developing sensory and motor skills, balance, body control, and concentration. It also supports motor-cognitive enrichment by connecting movement with thinking and response, helping children develop body awareness and cognitive abilities in a balanced way.
Alyazia Al Suwaidi, Head of the Technical Preparation and Follow-up Section at Sharjah Women’s Sports, said the Early Childhood Sports 1st Festival focuses on creating a comprehensive sporting experience for children during their early developmental years.
“Through this initiative, we aim to provide training content that responds to children’s needs at this age and progressively develops their balance, flexibility, motor coordination, and body awareness in an interactive way,” she said. “We are equally focused on making the sporting experience enjoyable and motivating, helping children build a positive connection with sport from an early age.”
Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports, said the initiative aligns with the organization’s vision of creating an integrated sporting pathway that begins in early childhood.
“We are delighted to see mothers and fathers here today and to witness the important role they play in encouraging their daughters and supporting their participation in sport,” she said. “The impact of that support has been clearly reflected in the participants’ confidence and engagement throughout the program.
“We believe that meaningful investment in sport begins in the early years. This is why we are committed to providing an environment that helps children develop their physical and motor abilities through a scientific and progressive approach, while strengthening their connection with sport as a way of life.”
The initiative continues to offer specialized gymnastics sessions focused on developing children’s sensory, motor, and cognitive abilities. Its training approach supports motor-cognitive coordination while strengthening balance, concentration, and body awareness within a safe, interactive, and encouraging environment.
