Women's sports in the United Arab Emirates have made significant strides in competitive fields and achieved landmark accomplishments at various local, regional, and international levels, thanks to the care and support of the wise leadership and the backing of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, "Mother of the Emirates," President of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and the Honorary President of the Family Development Foundation. Women's sports play an important role in the National Sports Strategy 2031, aimed at enhancing their participation in local and international championships and their presence in sports decision-making positions.
The General Authority of Sports is making intensive efforts to develop mechanisms for discovering and nurturing female talents and is cooperating with sports federations to develop women's championships and expand the participation of female athletes in continental and international competitions, especially after Emirati women have achieved numerous significant accomplishments regionally and internationally in recent times. The UAE Women's Sports Federation enhances the state's efforts to advance women's sports and opens wide avenues for Emirati women to engage in sports, supporting community development efforts and the strategy for discovering and nurturing talent.
Her Excellency Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women's Union and President of the UAE Women's Sports Federation, emphasized that the accomplishments of women's sports in the country at the regional and global levels are primarily due to the support and care of the wise leadership and the guidance and follow-up of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. She mentioned that Emirati women have achieved remarkable accomplishments in local, regional, and international sporting events, alongside their competence in holding administrative positions in sports federations and clubs.
Women's sports in the UAE owe much to various entities and institutions concerned with this matter, foremost among them the Fatima bint Mubarak Academy for Women's Sports, established in October 2010, chaired by Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the Chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and the Al Ain Ladies Club. The academy dedicates its efforts to promoting and facilitating women's sports participation and has organized dozens of sporting events, including the Fatima bint Mubarak International Show Jumping Cup, the Rapid Chess Championship, and the Women’s Padel Championship.
The Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation carries the significant responsibility of developing and promoting women's sports and discovering talents through various plans and initiatives, organizing major championships and events such as the Arab Women’s Clubs Sports Tournament held every two years since 2012, and the Standard School Athletics Championship in collaboration with the UAE School Education Foundation and the UAE Athletics Federation, which targeted 1,500 female students over its past four editions. Empowering women in sports administrative positions is one of the key components of the National Sports Strategy 2031, aiming to support their active presence and leadership in several sports federations.
