DUBAI, UAE, Dubai, UAE, January 8, 2018:   His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, has congratulated the winners of the 9th Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award and thanked them for their “extraordinary efforts” to promote creativity and the empowerment of women in sports.

The winners of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, which is the biggest award of its kind in the world and one of the entities under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, will be honoured at a glittering awards ceremony on Wednesday at Dubai World Trade Centre’s Sheikh Rashid Ballroom, starting 11am.

“We welcome these creative athletes and officials in a country that prides itself in taking a creative approach to work and has become a fertile ground for creative people, embracing them and sponsoring their work as they contribute – not just locally but internationally - towards the advancement of sport, which is not just an important human activity but also a reflection of a country’s progress and evolution,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

“The ninth edition of the Awards takes on an even greater status as it is being held at the beginning of the Year of Zayed, a year that is associated with the ideals of the beloved founder of our country, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. We follow his lead in all our work and all our initiatives, and our aim is to build a better future for our youth and sports.

“We are aware of the extraordinary efforts of all the winners and their notable achievements, which have raised the level of competitions. The winning local and international sports organisations have offered programmes and initiatives that have supported the Awards’ noble objectives, especially the main focus of this ninth edition of the awards, which is the empowerment of women in sports.

“They are all deserving winners of an Award that has the honour of carrying the name of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“The Awards were created to implement the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and for encouraging creativity in sport by honouring creative athletes, officials and organisations, and supporting their work.”

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, thanked His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, the patron of the Awards, for his “unlimited support and guidance” and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, for his “leadership”, which have helped turn the Awards into one of the most sought-after honours, not just in the Arab world but on the global stage.

“The increase in the number of entries at all levels - local, Arab and international - confirms the status of the award and the significant role it plays in achieving the desired development of the sports sector, and the establishment of a culture of creativity and excellence in sports work.”
 
ALL THE WINNERS OF THE 9TH MBR CREATIVE SPORTS AWARD

UAE Sports Personality: HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan (UAE)
Arab Sports Personality: HRH Princess Rima bint Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (KSA)
UAE Outstanding Athlete: Omar Abdul Rahman Al AMoodi (Football)
UAE Referee: Ebrahim Yousef Al Mansoori (Beach Soccer)
UAE Coach: Saeed Bin Suroor Al Khaldi (Horse Racing)
UAE Organisation: UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation
Arab Outstanding Athlete: Nour Atef El Sherbini (Egypt – Squash)
Arab Administrator: Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Gannas (KSA)
Arab Referee: Tarek Bin Mohamed Souei (Tunisia)
Arab Coach: Faris Ibrahim Al Assaf (Jordan)
Arab Team: Iraqi Youth Football Team U16
International Organisation (For Association of Summer Olympic International Federations): Union Cycliste International (UCI)
International Organisation (For IOC-Recognised International Sports Federations): International Cricket Council (ICC)
Arab Emerging Athlete: Mohammed Mustafa Al Sowaiq (KSA – Taekwondo)
Distinguished Athlete: Farida Hisham Osman (Egypt – Swimming)

Difficult Challenges (People of Determination Category):
1. Abdellatif Baka (Algeria – Athletics)
2. Fouad Baka (Algeria – Athletics)

Olympic Creative Sports:
1. Mohammed Gammoudi (Tunisia – Athletics)
2. Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco – Athletics)

UAE Emerging Athlete (Nominees):
1. Hussain Yousuf Anwar (Football)
2. Ammar Mohammed Al Sedrani (Chess)
3. Maitha Abdulla Hasan (Judo)
4. Wadima Saeed Abdulla (Jiu Jitsu)
5. Omar Mohammed Alwan (Jiu Jitsu)
6. Abdalla Guhloom Al Maazimi (Taekwondo)