Kalba Eastern Region Marine Festival on January 29

January 23, 2026 / 5:19 PM

Sharjah 24: Under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Al Sharqiya Channel from Kalba and Sharjah Sports Channel, both affiliated with the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, will organise the 2nd Eastern Region of Kalba Marine Festival 2026 in collaboration with the Sharjah Marine Sports Club, from 29 January to 1 February, with cash prizes of up to AED 1 million.

The launch was announced at a press conference at Kalba Waterfront. Attending were Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; Ismail Issa Al Hosani, Director of Al Sharqiya from Kalba Channel; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Director of Human Resources at Sharjah International Marine Sports Club; Abdul Rahim Al Hammadi, Director of Programmes at Sharjah Sports Channel; and sponsors and media representatives.

Salem Ali Al Ghaithi talked about how the festival helps keep the UAE's maritime history alive and supports community events. Ismail Issa Al Hosani said it is a social, cultural, and sports platform that strengthens national identity and encourages tourism.

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hammadi talked about how the club helped with the Fishing Championship and the Traditional Rowing Championship. This shows Sharjah's dedication to marine sports and history.

Abdul Rahim Al Hammadi confirmed that Sharjah Sports Channel would cover the whole event, showing how the contestants were getting ready and the atmosphere of the competition. Faisal Khalid Al Naboodah, the Sharjah Cooperative Society's Director of Marketing and Public Relations, said that the society supports visitors through programmes and services.

Ashwaq Yousef Al Naqbi, the head of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority's Eastern Region Office, said that the festival helped promote sports tourism and strengthen Sharjah's reputation as a top place for sports and cultural events.

The four-day celebration along Kalba Corniche Street will include traditional rowing and fishing competitions for the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel and tuna with people from the UAE and GCC. A legacy village will have traditional games, hands-on workshops, and real folk arts, offering families a whole experience that combines fun and learning about culture.