Jawaher Al Qasimi Welcomes the West Asia Women’s Volleyball Champions
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, received the Sharjah Women’s Sports Club volleyball team on the evening of 17 December at Al Badee’ Palace, in the presence of Sheikha Haya bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Supervisory and Follow-up Committee of the Arab Women Sports Tournament.
The team was welcomed following their historic triumph at the inaugural West Asia Women’s Volleyball Clubs Championship, held in the State of Kuwait, where they claimed the gold medal after a flawless campaign. The reception marked the culmination of an exceptional journey that saw the SWSC team write a proud chapter in the history of Emirati women’s sports, after securing a clean three-set victory over Al-Fatat Club of Kuwait in the final match, held on 13 December at the Salwa Al Sabah Sports Club, amid strong official and fan attendance.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi delivered a speech expressing her deep pride in the achievement, congratulating the players and affirming that their success embodies the values of commitment, teamwork, and sustained dedication upon which Sharjah Women’s Sports was established. She emphasized the Organization’s belief that investing in people is the most genuine path to creating successful champions. Her Highness said: “Today, we stand proudly before the result of years of hard work and patience. Our daughters, with whom we began this dream at a young age, have raised the name of Sharjah high by winning the cup and gold medals at the WAVA Clubs Volleyball Championship in Kuwait. This achievement is the beginning of an ambitious journey toward regional and international podiums, grounded in firm values and sportsmanship that reflect the true spirit and honorable identity of Sharjah.”
A Championship Defined by Resilience and Character
The final match posed a true challenge for the SWSC team, particularly against a strong opponent that had reached the final undefeated. This was further intensified by Sharjah having played a demanding five-set semifinal match the previous evening, requiring significant physical and mental recovery ahead of the decisive encounter.
Despite these challenges, the final showcased a high-level technical contest, with the first two sets marked by intense competitiveness and narrow margins. Sharjah players demonstrated championship composure in the third set, asserting clear dominance to conclude the match with scores of 25–23, 25–22, and 25–15, securing their place as the first-ever champions of the tournament.
Tournament Recognition and Officials’ Attendance
The awards ceremony saw Sheikha Naeema Al Ahmad, Chairperson of the Board of Salwa Al Sabah Club, present medals to the top three teams, alongside Ali Al Kuwari, President of the West Asia Volleyball Federation and the Qatar Volleyball Federation, and Dr. Jaber Al Marri, President of the Volleyball Federation. Al Ula Club of Saudi Arabia claimed third place after defeating Al Nasr of Jordan in the third-place playoff, within a championship that featured 12 teams from across the Arab region.
An Undefeated Journey
Sharjah’s campaign began upon their arrival in Kuwait on 1 December, opening with a decisive victory over Al Arabi of Qatar, followed by another straight-sets win against Al Nasr of Yemen. The team then delivered a standout performance against Salwa Al Sabah of Kuwait, winning three sets to one in a match marked by vibrant fan engagement.
In the knockout stages, Sharjah continued their dominant run, overcoming Al Fayhaa of Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals, before edging past Al Ula of Saudi Arabia in a thrilling five-set semifinal—widely regarded as one of the most competitive and high-quality matches of the tournament—demonstrating resilience, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Leadership Reflections
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher also congratulated the team via her official social media account, stating:
“I congratulate my daughters, the volleyball team, on their deserved clean three-set victory over Al-Fatat Club of Kuwait at the West Asia Women’s Volleyball Clubs Championship. Gold medal winners after surpassing all participating teams—this is how I have always known you.”
Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports, expressed her pride in the achievement, highlighting the heightened sense of responsibility felt by the team throughout the championship, driven by the continuous support and direct follow-up of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher. She noted that the significance of the title extends beyond the trophy itself, as it grants the club official regional recognition and places greater responsibility on the team moving forward—particularly in preparation for the 8th Arab Women Sports Tournament, to be hosted by Sharjah in February 2026, alongside domestic league commitments.
Mai Al Ameri, Deputy Director of Sharjah Women’s Sports Club, emphasized that the success reflects a fully integrated effort on both technical and administrative levels, praising the players’ discipline and the cohesion between the coaching and management teams, and affirming that the achievement underscores a deeply rooted culture of excellence within the club.
Head coach Karim Ben Ayed described the tournament as exceptional in every sense, noting that the team entered the competition with clear objectives and strong ambition, successfully navigating all challenges—especially in decisive matches—thanks to fighting spirit, tactical discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure.
A Homecoming Worthy of Champions
The team received a warm welcome upon their return to the UAE on Sunday, 14 December, attended by players’ families and the club’s youth team, who followed every match of the championship—reflecting the club’s commitment to nurturing future generations and strengthening a culture of belonging and role modeling across age groups.
Moza Al Shamsi, Director of Sharjah Women’s Sports, who was among the first to welcome the team upon their return, expressed her joy and pride in the achievement, describing it as a moment of celebration, honor, and responsibility. She affirmed that the title represents the outcome of integrated efforts and sustained support for women’s sports in Sharjah, adding that the players’ performance presents a proud image of Emirati women and their ability to compete and excel at the regional level.
This historic triumph further cements Sharjah Women’s Sports Club’s leading position on the regional women’s volleyball scene, reinforcing the presence of Emirati women’s sports across West Asia. It stands as a significant addition to the achievements of SWS, reflecting its vision of building championship-caliber teams capable of representing Sharjah and the UAE with distinction and integrity.
