At the International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah, a defining message emerged from the dialogue between Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports, and Ms. Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson. It was captured in one unambiguous statement: “The level of women’s sport in Sharjah is, with Allah’s grace, and with your support, Your Highness, and with the determination of the players and administrative teams, is 100% ready to reach the global stage”.

A declaration that distilled both vision and ambition, and signaled the start of a new phase for women’s sports in the emirate.

Her Highness also extended her gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, saying: “Sharjah has through the grace of Allah, been blessed with this generous and compassionate ruler who has never spared any efforts.. and this is truly a fact I declare to all of you never once said to me, “No, I don’t have a budget.” Rather, whenever a new plan for women’s sports is placed before him, He adds his notes and sends the plans to the Department of Public Works: ‘Proceed with building this institution.’”

This support has gone far beyond infrastructure. It established a complete ecosystem that extends into education, healthcare, and the social well-being of athletes and their families. Its outcomes include the inauguration of the Sharjah Women’s Sports Olympic Center, which features world-class training facilities, and specialized sports medicine and mental preparation centers. Complementing this are geographically distributed projects across the emirate, recurring university scholarships for athletes, comprehensive psychological and social support systems, and flexible training arrangements that allow students and employees to balance sport with education and careers. The impact is clear: a growing number of registered athletes, an expanding base of practitioners, and a rising medal count at local, regional, and international levels.

Her Highness also spoke about the history of the Arab Women Sports Tournament, affirming: “We started with tournaments within the GCC; Initially three countries participated. The next year, the number of GCC states increased. Even Saudi Arabia joined us at last. Then the idea developed: why not attract participation from Arab countries and not just the GCC? We wanted our girls to mix with others, from elsewhere in the Arab world. So, we opened the door to all Arab countries.”

Since its inception, the tournament has been under her highness's direct patronage, ensuring its growth and sustainability. Today, it stands as the largest and only pan-Arab tournament dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. The upcoming eighth edition, scheduled for February 2026, will see new developments, most notably the inclusion of taekwondo and rowing, while maintaining the emirate-wide distribution of competitions to promote community engagement and visibility. Preparations began at the start of the year, with teams from across sectors collaborating to deliver an edition that promises wide Arab participation.

Another powerful message delivered by Her Highness was the dismantling of stereotypes around women in sport:“Families used to see it as “mischievous girls,” and—permit me to say—they called them boyat (from “boy”), implying that a girl who played sports was a tomboy! We erased all these notions. Your Highness changed this way of thinking. Mothers and families began to trust us when we said, ‘We provide sport for your daughters.’ Mothers and fathers themselves came eagerly. Role models emerged.”

This vision has translated into tangible outcomes. Emirati champions have climbed international podiums, stadiums have filled with families and children creating positive collective memories, and media narratives have highlighted the athlete’s journey of discipline, education, and social balance rather than just the results of a match. The numbers reinforce this transformation: four years ago, there were barely 200 female athletes; today, more than 1,000 girls train regularly across multiple disciplines, supported by over ten training centers distributed across Sharjah. The Scientific Research and Sports Development Center plays a vital role in guiding talents toward the disciplines most suited to their abilities.

Her Highness also reflected on the early challenges of women’s sports in Sharjah, noting: “The beginning of sports was difficult, because parents did not want to send their daughters for sports. Ours was a conservative environment. People would keep saying: “There are men there!” But, praise be to Allah With the support of His Highness, and with all my daughters who were nurtured in these centers, they were determined to give their very best. And today, women’s sport in Sharjah is renowned across the Gulf and perhaps the Arab world.

This turning point was not a passing phase—it laid the foundation for broad social trust, inspiring successive success stories that continue to motivate new generations of athletes and families alike. As the session drew to a close, one line from Her Highness remained the headline: “The level of women’s sport in Sharjah is, with Allah’s grace, and with your support, Your Highness, and with the determination of the players and administrative teams, is 100% ready to reach the global stage”.

This was not a slogan, but a clear roadmap — one that affirms global recognition is not simply an aspiration, but an inevitable outcome when vision is matched with support, structure, and dedication. At the same time, this declaration places an even greater responsibility on the organization: to nurture talent from early childhood, guide athletes through every stage of development, and deliver integrated programs that combine training, education, and psychological and social support. The model is built on clear training methodologies and close monitoring for each age group, beginning as early as age two and continuing well into adulthood, ensuring progressive and sustainable growth. It is about translating vision into practice — from baby sports initiatives and sports incubators that identify and strengthen abilities early on, to school-based programs that ensure continuity, and ultimately to a professional ecosystem that equips athletes with the tools to stand confidently on regional and international podiums.