The School Judo Championship, organized by Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Private Education Authority, concluded its first edition on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Kalba. Hosted at the Kalba Women’s Sports Club, the tournament featured students from five schools competing across various weight and age categories, in a highly competitive atmosphere that showcased growing enthusiasm for this Olympic sport.

Promising Physical Capabilities Among Kalba’s Young Athletes

The championship is part of one of SWS’ Key initiatives, designed to assess and track the physical capabilities of schoolgirls. This initiative aims to build a scientific database to increase the participation of young athletes in various sports and identify promising talents in a structured and systematic manner.

Through scientific performance assessments, students from Kalba schools demonstrated high levels of strength and endurance, revealing strong athletic potential. The results underscored the importance of investing in school sports as a foundation for developing physical skills and fostering future champions.

Dr. Mukhtar Shattara, Director of the Scientific Centre for Research and Sports Development, praised the students' physical abilities, stating: "The physical assessments revealed promising capabilities among the participants, serving as a positive indicator for developing specialized training programs. These findings will help refine their athletic skills and enhance their future competitiveness."

Outstanding School Participation

The championship saw participation from Abdulrahman Al-Nasser School, Umair bin Abi Waqqas School, Al-Shohada School, Al-Hijrah School, and the English School in Kalba. Each school demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting sports and developing students' skills, reinforcing a long-term vision for advancing women's sports within the school environment.

Competition Results and Recognition

The tournament featured highly competitive matches, with the English School in Kalba emerging victorious, claiming first place in judo. Umair bin Abi Waqqas School secured second place, while Al-Hijrah School finished third.

In the physical performance assessments, Al-Shohada School dominated the rankings, followed by Umair bin Abi Waqqas School, showcasing strong athletic abilities among their students.

Official Statements: Commitment to Advancing School Sports

Her Excellency Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of the SWS, emphasized the crucial role of school sports in building a new generation of athletes, stating: "One of the key objectives of this championship was to analyze and highlight the athletic potential of different regions. The results clearly demonstrated that Kalba’s students possess significant athletic abilities, shaped by their natural physical attributes suited for competitive sports."

She added: "We were impressed not only by the skill level displayed but also by the enthusiasm and determination shown by the students, many of whom were experiencing judo for the first time. The dedication of schools and teachers was also remarkable, as they played a pivotal role in helping students overcome their initial apprehensions and engage fully in the competition."

"What stood out most was the students' rapid understanding of judo rules, their eagerness to support one another, and their genuine interest in learning more about the sport."

Al Mahmoud reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to collaborating with schools to further promote sports, highlighting SWS’ successful partnerships, such as the recent agreement with International School of Creative Science, which serves as a model for integrating school sports with professional training programs.

Meanwhile, Her Excellency Moza Al Shamsi, Director of SWS, described the championship as a major step forward in developing school sports, stating: "What we witnessed throughout the competition was a display of resilience and determination. Even in the face of losses, students demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship, always eager to compete again with greater resolve."

"Our goal is to embed a strong sports culture in schools from an early age, and this championship confirmed the significant physical potential among students. The scientific tests also highlighted key areas that require further training and monitoring to ensure continuous improvement."

A Successful Conclusion and the Beginning of a Promising Athletic Future

The tournament concluded with a recognition ceremony honoring the top judo athletes and the outstanding students in the physical tests, celebrating their efforts and achievements. Schools were also commended for their active role in promoting school sports and fostering a positive competitive spirit.

This championship reflects the Sharjah Women’s Sports’ ongoing commitment to empowering young female athletes and creating a competitive environment that nurtures the next generation of sports champions.