Sharjah hosts first school rowing championship for girls

May 23, 2026 / 2:33 PM

Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Women Sports organised the first school rowing championship on Thursday, 21 May 2026, as part of the Specialised Schools Initiative. The event was held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Private Education Authority, and hosted by Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, with the participation of 97 female students from 10 schools across the emirate.

Participation

The competition brought together 97 students aged 12 to 17, divided into three age categories: 12–13, 14–15, and 16–17 years. Schools included Wasit Model School (Girls Cycle 3), Emirates American School, several Zayed Educational Complexes, Al Risalah Scientific School, Fatima Al Zahra Schools, Al Nouf School, Al Bataeh School, and Ruqaya School.

Objectives of the initiative

The championship is part of efforts to strengthen the presence of sport within the school environment and expand student participation through structured competitive experiences. It also aims to identify athletic talent early and develop physical skills through the Specialised Schools Initiative, which integrates sport into education to build a future talent pipeline.

Results

In the 12–13 age group, Wdeema Mohammed (Al Nouf School) won first place. In the 14–15 category, Fatima Saeed (Zayed Educational Complex – Al Suyoh) secured first place, while in the 16–17 category, Lane Emad (Emirates American School) took first place.

Organisers’ statements

Her Excellency Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women Sports, said school championships play a key role in embedding sport in daily education and building confidence through structured competition. She highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for students to discover their abilities early.

Al Yazya Al Suwaidi, Head of the Technical Preparation and Follow-up Department at the Sharjah Women Sports noted that introducing rowing reflects the foundation’s goal of diversifying school sports and offering students new experiences that help reveal different physical and performance capabilities.

Technical assessment

The event also included physical and anthropometric testing supervised by the Scientific Centre for Sports Research and Performance Development and the Sports Medicine and Healthcare Centre, alongside on-site monitoring by coaches and specialists.

Conclusion

The initiative continues to expand school sports participation in Sharjah, promoting sport as a lifestyle and supporting the development of a confident, competitive generation of young athletes.