Each year, Sharjah Women’s Sports continues to redefine empowerment—not as a slogan, but as a lived experience where knowledge meets practice, and where individual ambition aligns with a clear organizational vision. With the conclusion of Phase Two of the third edition of the Sports Leadership Program, the Organization reaffirms the program’s role as one of its key professional development pathways for preparing future leaders capable of shaping meaningful change within Sharjah’s sports ecosystem.
Delivered in partnership with Sharjah Capability Development (Tatweer), this year’s edition brought together 41 employees from various departments, engaging them in an intensive learning journey that blends academic depth with hands-on application. Through a series of specialized workshops, the program aims to refine leadership skills, strengthen strategic thinking, and broaden participants’ understanding of the local and international sports landscape.
Workshops That Reshape the Understanding of Sports Leadership
Phase Two highlighted the program’s continuous evolution, immersing participants in three core workshops: Sports Governance, Sports Marketing, and Talent Identification & Development—each designed to serve a distinct segment of the Organization’s workforce.
Sports Governance: The Language of Policy and Institutional Structure
This workshop targeted employees in planning, monitoring, and institutional development, offering a comprehensive framework on governance models within major sports, policy-making mechanisms, and the structures required to support informed, data-driven decision-making.
Sports Marketing: The Audience at the Center
The second workshop brought together staff from media, communications, and marketing departments, opening a wide space to explore brand management, audience-building strategies, digital marketing trends, and the role of technology and AI in enhancing fan engagement—particularly within women’s sports.
Talent Identification & Development: Shaping the Future
The third workshop focused on coaches, technical staff, and specialists, covering fundamental principles in athlete scouting, talent pathway planning, performance evaluation, and international models for developing young athletes. It also examined the challenges and gaps facing clubs during early talent formation.
An American Lens on Sports Development
Led by international experts, the program offered participants a window into best global practices, featuring an in-depth look at the American sports development model—particularly within basketball and swimming. The sessions explored fanbase-building strategies, university and professional league structures, and the athlete development pathway, all of which are considered foundational in modern sports marketing and talent systems.
This global perspective provided participants with a richer, more nuanced understanding of leadership today, enabling them to translate theory into informed decision-making and practical growth within their teams.
Empowerment as an Institutional Pathway
During the closing ceremony, Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports, emphasized the program’s role in advancing the Organization’s long-term empowerment strategy, stating:
“Participants demonstrated strong leadership potential and a readiness to translate knowledge into meaningful outcomes that enrich Sharjah’s sports environment. We believe that investing in human capital is the cornerstone of building a more mature and sustainable sports ecosystem.”
From her side, Moza Al Shamsi, Director of Sharjah Women’s Sports, underlined the program’s impact as a transformational platform for leadership development:
“What we witnessed in this edition reflects how structured learning and hands-on experience can evolve into practical tools that shape sports decision-making and expand participation opportunities for our teams.”
She further highlighted the value of bringing together participants from diverse professional backgrounds—including current and former athletes, administrators, technical staff, physiotherapists, nutrition specialists, and coaches—which plays a key role in activating the sports professions and strengthening the presence of women across the sector.
A Partnership That Builds Leaders
Reinforcing the significance of this collaboration, H.E. Khalid Ibrahim Al Nakhi, Director of Sharjah Capability Development, noted that the program aligns with Tatweer’s mission to prepare a new generation of leaders capable of driving positive impact in Sharjah’s sports sector. He pointed to the workshops as a pivotal stage for discovering talent and enhancing participants’ skills in governance, marketing, and talent development.
A Moment of Recognition… and the Beginning of a New Chapter
The ceremony concluded with honoring all participants—a gesture that reflects the Organization’s appreciation for their dedication and engagement. It marks the beginning of a new chapter of leadership across departments and sports teams, in alignment with the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports, to empower human capital and build a sustainable sports ecosystem for future generations.
