Though only established in February 2024, the Sharjah Women’s Sports Olympic Center—operating under Sharjah Women’s Sports—has swiftly positioned itself as a premier destination for elite athletes. Combining state-of-the-art training facilities with specialized programs designed to shape future champions, the Center has, through regular hosting of Olympic and world-class athletes and international training camps, become a vital gateway for Emirati women athletes to gain invaluable experience, sharpen their competitive edge, and raise their readiness for major championships.

 Speaking about the vision behind the Center, Her Excellency Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports, noted:“The Center was created to empower women to practice sports at the highest levels, in line with the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, SWS Chairperson, who firmly believes in investing in pioneering initiatives with long-term strategic impact. Its prime location near schools and residential areas further strengthens opportunities to attract young athletes, offering them an ideal environment to balance their academic journey with athletic development. We believe that building world-class infrastructure and advanced training programs is the pathway to nurturing a generation capable of competing on the global stage.”

 The impact of these camps has extended well beyond technical performance. For the athletes, training side by side with international champions offered a rare chance to immerse themselves in the daily discipline of professionals—from physical and mental preparation to routines of rest, nutrition, and recovery. These experiences encouraged players to rethink their lifestyles as athletes, share their own challenges, and learn practical strategies from those who had already competed on the world stage.

 Participants described these opportunities as transformative—providing clearer personal roadmaps, mental tools to handle pressure, and the confidence to view sport success as the result of a holistic system, not just technical ability.

 Commenting on this, Her Excellency Moza Al Shamsi, Director of Sharjah Women’s Sports, said:“The true objectives of hosting such camps go beyond skill development or fitness gains. It is about instilling a professional mindset. We want our players to understand that sport is a complete way of life, and that handling both victory and defeat with equal strength and positivity is part of their journey. These experiences build confidence and give them psychological and behavioral tools that last a lifetime.”

Judo: French Olympic Experience Inspires Young Athletes

Among the most notable events was the visit of the French Judo Federation delegation, which included Olympic gold medalists Larbi Benboudaoud (Sydney 2000) and Émilie Andéol (London 2012), along with International Relations Director Alevtina Ziakass. The program featured joint demonstrations with players from the Organization’s clubs and sports incubators, as well as workshops with coaches to establish key training principles for younger age groups.

Ziakass praised the Center, highlighting its modern facilities and affirming: “We look forward to close collaboration with SWS to build a strong base of players capable of representing the UAE at the Olympic level.”

 The Center also welcomed Ukrainian judoka Daria Bilodid, bronze medalist at Tokyo 2020 and two-time world champion, who led three days of intensive training with junior players. “This exceptional environment will have a positive impact across all individual sports at the club,” she said.

Athletics: An Olympic Gold Medalist Motivates the Next Generation

In track and field, the Center hosted Bahraini hurdler Winfred Yavi, gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics and a two-time Asian champion. She worked directly with the athletes on technical drills and shared insights on mental and physical preparation for major competitions, leaving a strong motivational impact on SWS Clubs’ young runners. Olympic champion Winfred Yavi during joint training sessions with the players.

Archery: An Elite Camp Builds Readiness

From November 15 to December 1, 2024, the Center organized the Archery Elite Camp, bringing together over 40 athletes from eight countries. The program included advanced training, friendly competitions, and mental conditioning sessions. Olympic archer Reena Parnat of Estonia described the experience as “outstanding,” praising the Center’s facilities as “among the best worldwide.”

SWSC archer Hessa Al Awadhi said the camp marked a turning point in her career:“It gave us a rare opportunity to train alongside international athletes with tremendous experience. I learned new ways to prepare both mentally and physically, and discovered how to manage pressure while maintaining focus in critical moments. Experiences like this give us the confidence to believe we can stand on podiums and proudly raise the UAE flag at global championships.”

Comprehensive Programs to Build a Professional Mindset

What sets these camps apart is that they are designed as complete experiences rather than isolated training sessions. They integrate international coaching philosophies with lifestyle elements such as nutrition, recovery, and long-term planning.As Alyazia Al Suwaidi, Head of the Technical Planning and Monitoring Unit, explained:“The Olympic Center provides a unique training environment. We ensure every camp delivers tangible outcomes—whether through individual follow-up plans for our athletes or through their exposure to diverse international training systems. This makes the experience truly distinctive and gives our players added value that no other camp can match.”

Table Tennis: Global Training Styles Under One Roof

The Center hosted two international training camps in table tennis: one with the Armenian national youth team, and another with Russia’s renowned UMMC Club. Activities included daily double sessions, trial matches, and tactical exercises that exposed players to different styles of play.

Taekwondo: From Individual Inspiration to Team Readiness

Spanish Olympic star Jesús Tortosa led an interactive session with over 60 athletes, showcasing advanced techniques and mental preparation methods. The Center also staged a major international camp with national teams from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Egypt, as preparation for the Arab Cup and Fujairah International Championships. Technical Director Abdullah Hatem described the camp as “a strategic step in developing performance and ensuring readiness for major competitions.”

Fencing: World-Class Strategies in Sharjah

In August 2025, the Center hosted an international fencing camp (épée) featuring Olympic champion Mohamed Elsayed and world U20 champion Mahmoud Elsayed. The program included technical training, matches, and performance analysis sessions. Dr. Sami Elsayed, Scientific Advisor for Performance Development, praised the players’ discipline, while the Egyptian champions emphasized the importance of mental focus and turning every match into a learning opportunity.Eight athletes from Egypt’s épée team also participated, providing valuable exposure and competitive experience for the SWS clubs’ players.

SWSC fencer Fajer Al Marzouqi expressed her gratitude for the experience, saying:“This camp was a defining moment for me. It combined intensive technical training with mental preparation and direct exposure to world-class athletes. I learned how to face the pressure of competition with greater confidence, how to read my opponent, and how to adjust my style during a match. Most importantly, it gave me powerful motivation to keep pushing myself forward.”

A Modern Platform and a Trusted International Venue

What ties all these initiatives together is the Center’s unwavering readiness and capacity to deliver. As Hind Al Housani, Director of the Sharjah Women’s Sports Olympic Center, affirmed:“We make it a priority to always be fully prepared—whether in infrastructure or technical resources—and that’s why we consistently receive praise from international delegations. This trust cements Sharjah’s position as a reliable sport destination and motivates us to raise the bar even higher.”

Commenting on this aspect, Nadwa Al Suwan, Technical Monitoring Executive (Equipments and Camps), noted that the Center’s readiness goes beyond infrastructure to include internationally certified equipment used to train athletes and raise their technical standards. She added: “We ensure that all equipment at the Center meets the highest global standards, allowing our athletes to train in conditions that replicate official championships. I have also prepared dedicated manuals, each covering the full set of equipment and tools required for each sport within our clubs. This guarantees a comprehensive training environment that reflects the highest levels of professionalism.”

With this, the Sharjah Women’s Sports Olympic Center has proven itself to be more than a state-of-the-art venue; it has become a trusted platform that unites global champions under one roof, accelerating the development of Emirati athletes and strengthening their presence on the world stage.