17 Jan 2025
PUBLISHED BY: SWS
SWS Concludes the Fifth Edition of the School Athletics Championship
A Spectacular Finale with 516 Students from Sharjah Schools
The fifth edition of the School Athletics Championship concluded on Thursday, January 16, 2025, after two days of exciting competition at the Sharjah Women's Sports Olympic Centre in Al-Falah. The championship, supported by the Ministry of Education, Sharjah Private Education Authority, the UAE Athletics Federation, and NMC Royal Hospital, featured 516 female students representing 22 schools from Sharjah. Participants competed across three age categories: 9-10 years, 11-12 years, and 13-14 years, in events such as 60m, 150m, and 300m races, long jump, and shot put.
Broad Participation: 22 Schools Championing Sports in Education
With this edition, the total number of participants across the championship's five editions reached 1,916 students, reflecting the growing interest and commitment of schools in Sharjah.
The participating schools represented a diverse mix of public, private, and international institutions, including: Al Thameed School, Al Nouf School, American Gulf School, Sharjah International Private School, Al Rahmaniya School, International School of Creative Science, Asma School, Al Bataeh School, Fatima Al Zahra secondary school, Al Azra Scientific School, Emirates American School, Al Resala School, Al Zahra School, Al Najma Private School, Al Azra Sharjah Model School, Zayed Educational Complex in Al Qattah, Al Ma’arifa School, Al Ramaqiya School, British Creativity School, Zayed Educational Complex in Al Suyoh, Al Qarain Sharjah Model School, and Al Ansar School.
This diversity underscores the schools’ dedication to making sports an integral part of their educational culture, fostering students’ physical and mental growth while promoting sustainable participation in athletics.
Encouraging Athletic Excellence: The Minimum Performance Requirement
The championship enforced a minimum performance threshold for participants to qualify for awards. This regulation aims to motivate schools to enhance their training programs and maintain consistent preparation throughout the year. It also highlights the importance of athletic excellence and the role of physical activity in fostering students’ long-term development.
Official Statements: Commitment to Excellence in Sports
Her Excellency Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of SWS, expressed her pride in the students’ achievements, stating: "This championship is not merely a sporting event; it is part of the Organisation’s vision to elevate women’s sports and foster a generation that values physical activity as a lifestyle. The enjoyable competition among students highlights the importance of formalizing physical education in schools and adhering to structured sports curricula to ensure the sustainability of athletic engagement.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners and supporters for their outstanding contributions to the success of this event."
Her Excellency Mouza Al Shamsi, Director of SWS, added: "Organizing this championship is a reflection of our ongoing efforts to integrate sports into school culture and make it a cornerstone of education. The results we witnessed today reaffirm the importance of collaboration between the Organisation, schools, and supporting entities in achieving our national goals for advancing women’s sports."
Alyazia Al Suwaidi, Head of Technical Planning and Monitoring Unit at the Organisation, commented: "This year, we observed significant improvements in the number of participants and the overall organization, showcasing the schools’ commitment to effective participation. Through this championship, we aim to encourage schools to implement robust sports training programs and use this platform to assess their effectiveness in enhancing students’ athletic performance."
Voices from the Field: Inspiring Stories
Dana Youssef from Al Nouf School, who secured third place in the shot put, said: "It was a challenging yet rewarding experience. The training we did throughout the year with our school played a huge role in this achievement, and I’m excited to continue pursuing this sport."
Her schoolmate Rahaf Youssef, the first-place winner in the throwing event, added: "The championship wasn’t just about competing; it was also an opportunity to develop our skills and learn from our peers. I’m grateful to my school and the SWS for this exceptional event."
Maryam Ali Al Zahedi from Al Ramaqiya School, who finished third in the 150m race, shared: "I’m thrilled with this achievement. The race was full of energy and excitement, and with the support of my school and teammates, I was able to reach the podium. This championship has been an amazing learning experience."
Scientific Support for Community Sports
Dr. Mokhtar Shattara, Director of the Scientific Center for Research and Sports Development, stated: "Providing a platform for scientific assessments during the championship has greatly contributed to understanding the physical characteristics of the participants. These insights help us develop precise local benchmarks that enhance community sports and inform systematic training programs."
The Grand Finale
The championship concluded with the crowning of the winners in each event and the recognition of partners, supporters, and school coaches through certificates and honorary shields. This event stands as a milestone in advancing school sports and its role in fostering women’s athletics in Sharjah, creating a competitive and supportive environment that prepares a committed generation ready to excel.
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