School competitions expand access to diverse sports and support a more active learning environment
Sharjah Women’s Sports concluded the finals of the Specialized Schools Championship in basketball and volleyball, held on 28 and 29 April 2026 at Al Riqqa Team Sports Centre. The finals followed a preliminary stage held in February, which brought together a number of public and private schools from across the Emirate of Sharjah in competitions hosted at SWS club venues, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Private Education Authority.
The basketball final was held on the opening day, followed by the volleyball final on the second day, determining the top-ranked schools across the different age categories.
In basketball, Al Resalah International School of Science claimed first place in the 8–9 age category, followed by Sharjah Model School for Girls, while Asma’a School for Basic Education finished third. In the 9–10 age category, Asma’a School for Basic Education secured first place, Sharjah Model School for Boys finished second, and the American School of Creative Science placed third.
In volleyball, Al Manar School claimed first place in Cycle 2, while Fatima Al Zahra School topped the Cycle 3 competition, followed by the American School of Creative Science.
A School Environment that Encourages Sports Participation
Commenting on the championship, Alyazia Al Suwaidi, Head of Technical Preparation and Follow-up Section at Sharjah Women’s Sports, said the event forms part of the Specialized Schools initiative, one of the organisation’s key projects.
“This step contributes to promoting sports culture, diversifying the sports practiced in schools, identifying students’ abilities and guiding them towards the most suitable sporting pathway,” she said.
Al Suwaidi added that the positive engagement from schools and students reflects the importance of such initiatives in strengthening the role of sport within the school environment. She also praised the ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Private Education Authority, highlighting their role in supporting the success of the championship and other school-based initiatives. She noted that finals in a number of individual sports will continue during the coming period.
A Direct Impact on the Learning Environment
Feedback from participating teaching staff also highlighted the championship’s impact on school sports.
Walaa Sabry, Physical Education Teacher at Al Resalah International School of Science, said the growing variety of school championships has helped broaden the range of sports offered within schools. She noted that some sports had not previously been available, but these initiatives encouraged schools to invest in the necessary facilities and equipment, which in turn increased students’ interest in sports participation.
Thanaa Hosni, Physical Education Teacher at Sharjah Model School for Girls, said participation in the championship had strengthened students’ understanding of the rules of different sports while improving their discipline and application of fundamental techniques.
Similarly, Intisar Jalal, Physical Education Teacher at Al Manar School, said the championship helped build students’ self-confidence and improve their commitment during PE classes. Doaa Farghaly, Physical and Health Education Teacher at Fatima Al Zahra School, added that participation encouraged students to engage more positively with sporting activities, including those who had previously shown little interest in sport, while also reinforcing teamwork and cooperation.
An Experience that Strengthens Students’ Connection with Sport
Student Al Maha Mohammed Hassan, a Grade 4 pupil at Asma’a School for Basic Education, expressed her enjoyment of the basketball competition, noting that the experience helped her develop her skills and encouraged her to become more consistent in practising sport on a daily basis.
In volleyball, Grade 10 student Retaj Mohammed from Fatima Al Zahra School said family support had encouraged her to continue developing and performing well, adding that the experience strengthened her interest in sport alongside her academic achievement. Her teammate Meera Khalid said teamwork and commitment to their teacher’s instructions were central to their strong performance during the competition.
Scientific Insight to Support Programme Development
Maryam Al Shehhi, Physiologist at the Scientific Center for Research and Sports Development, explained that the centre uses school championships as an opportunity to collect accurate physical indicators that help build a clearer understanding of the characteristics of the targeted age groups.
She noted that this data contributes to developing local scientific benchmarks and supports the design of training programmes that better reflect the physical characteristics and needs of female students within the local community.
An Integrated Approach to Strengthening Sport in Schools
The championship forms part of Sharjah Women’s Sports’ wider efforts to build an integrated school sports system focused on expanding participation, introducing students to a broader range of disciplines and embedding sport more firmly within the educational environment.
Through continued collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Sharjah Private Education Authority and participating schools, the initiative supports shared objectives aimed at establishing sport as an integral part of students’ daily lives.
