On April 23, the third edition of the Sports Leadership Program was launched by Sharjah Women’s Sports as part of its ongoing efforts to empower and upskill young female professionals in the sports sector. Organized in strategic partnership with the Sharjah Capability Development (Tatweer), the program aims to create sustainable impact within the realm of women’s sports leadership.

The cohort includes twenty participants from within the organization, blending professional expertise with diverse athletic backgrounds. Among them are Rouda Robari, captain of the Sharjah Women’s Sports Club basketball team and UAE national team player, who currently holds an executive role within the Sports Leadership Department; and Nadwa Alsawan, a volleyball player at SWSC and UAE national team player, and executive in the technical Monitoring department, specializing in sports equipment and Camps. Both embody the active athletic presence within the program.

Former athletes are also taking part, such as Alyaziya Al Suwaidi, a former basketball player now head of the Technical planning and Monitoring Unit, and Latifa Al Hosani, a former fencing player at SWSC, currently serving as a programmer and AI lead. Latifa also chairs the Women’s Committee at the UAE Fencing Federation and sits on its Board of Directors.

This mix of expertise brings a rich balance of practical and theoretical insights, turning each session into a dynamic space for intergenerational exchange and integrated learning.In her remarks about the experience, Aisha Abu Al Zoud, Head of Physiotherapy at the Sports Medicine and Healthcare Center, stated: For me, the program is an extension of my ambition to develop organizational sports work. It’s not just about knowledge, but also about broadening how we think and plan. The third edition exposed me to global experiences aligned with the organization’s vision and equipped me with sharper tools for tracking and development. Every session re-energizes my drive to create tangible change at work.”

Ghalia Al Mazmi, appointed Head of Media and alumna of the first and second editions, emphasized the deep value the program continues to offer:“Leadership doesn’t begin with a title—it starts with an idea. This program helped me redefine my role within the organization and connect my work more closely with its mission, whether by promoting success stories or creating impact through content. It’s an experience that leaves a lasting professional and personal mark.”

The program began with intensive virtual sessions from April through June, exploring international case studies in swimming and basketball, along with a specialized module on sports event management. The next stage, scheduled for October and November, will include hands-on workshops covering key topics such as governance, sports marketing, and talent identification and development. The final phase will take participants to the United States for a fully immersive field experience featuring visits to leading sports institutions and direct engagement with global experts in sports management, marketing, and programming.

The program reflects Sharjah Women’s Sports’ vision of transforming empowerment from a slogan into practical action, grounded in experience, knowledge, and openness to global best practices. Above all, it embodies the organization’s belief that investing in its human capital is the most honest path toward meaningful change and ensuring women’s strong presence at the heart of sports leadership.