The second edition of the School Judo Championship launched on Thursday, February 13, 2025, organized by Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Private Education Authority. Sharjah Women's Sports Olympic Centre hosted exciting competitions featuring fierce matches among students, reflecting a spirit of challenge and discipline while showcasing the increasing interest in judo within the school environment.

Wide Participation and the Strategic Role of the Olympic Center

The championship saw participation from 15 schools with more than 153 students competing. The strategic location of the Sharjah Women's Sports Olympic Centre played a pivotal role in attracting many schools, both public and private. The event provided an ideal opportunity to explore the different approaches schools use in managing their sports programs, which was evident in the varying results of the physical assessments among participating schools.

Her Excellency Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of SWS, highlighted the importance of this championship in assessing and identifying athletic talents, guiding them to various sports, and promoting physical activity to improve quality of life, stating:

"Today, we witnessed a comprehensive sports experience, offering students the chance to compete in judo under structured and professional standards. All participants underwent precise physical tests, revealing not only athletic competition but also the community’s thirst for sports. Many of the girls integrated quickly into the sport, even if it was their first experience, demonstrating that sports are essential in building character, instilling values of challenge, perseverance, and resilience, which are crucial life skills we aim to cultivate from an early age."

Intense Competitions and Advanced Physical Levels

Students competed across various weight and age categories, with the championship featuring judo matches, as well as physical and anthropometric assessments, supervised by the scientific and medical committee. These assessments highlighted varying fitness levels, showcasing potential talents that could be developed in suitable sports, reflecting the growing interest in school sports and the effectiveness of the training programs being implemented.

Her Excellency Moza Al Shamsi, Director of SWS, emphasized the importance of integrating school sports into students' lives, stating: "The students tried judo for the first time, discovering their passion for sports by experiencing them in a real environment. Today, on the judo mat, they had their first encounter with this sport, and through this experience, they began to recognize their interests and inclinations towards a particular sport."

She added: "Our goal is not only to develop physical skills but also to ignite the sporting spirit within students, creating a desire to continuously engage in these experiences. What we saw today was a genuine passion for sports, not just judo. These emotions are the foundation that drives individuals to adopt sports as a lifestyle. Therefore, by introducing sports into people's lives from a young age, we contribute to building a healthier and more balanced community."

She also stressed the crucial role of schools in achieving this objective, adding: "This championship would not have been successful without the support of schools. Without their collaboration, organizing such school sports events would not be possible. Their partnership was vital to the success of the championship, reflecting the significant role educational institutions play in promoting a sports culture among new generations."

Strategic Initiatives for Developing Women's Sports

Alyazia Al Suwaidi, Head of Technical Planning and Monitoring Unit at SWS, stated that the School Judo Championship is a key step toward achieving the goals of the “Specialized Schools Initiative in Sharjah”, which aims to complete the women’s sports ecosystem and boost female participation across various sports.

She explained: "This championship is the eighth in a series of school championships that support the division’s initiatives to fulfill the objectives of completing the women’s sports system. Through these initiatives, we have successfully established a comprehensive database of physical measurements and abilities for more than 5,000 students, providing us with accurate data to support the development of sports programs and enhance training quality according to scientific standards. All of this progress would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of our educational partners, who played a fundamental role in promoting sports culture among the new generations."

Competition Results and Recognition

The championship yielded notable results, with the Gulf American School securing first place in judo, followed by Al-Zahoor School in second place, and Al-Qalaa School finishing third.

In the physical tests, Al-Risala International School excelled by taking first place, followed by Zayed Educational Complex (Al Rahmaniya).

Successful Conclusion and Impact on the Future of School Sports

The championship concluded with honoring the winners of the judo competitions, along with recognizing the standout students in the physical assessments. Participating schools were also acknowledged for their efforts in supporting school sports and fostering a positive competitive spirit.

This event reaffirms SWS’ commitment to enhancing women's sports in schools, providing girls with opportunities to engage in competitive sports, strengthening sports culture in the community, and establishing it as a sustainable lifestyle.