The Arab Women Sports Tournament is gearing up for its biggest ever event, hosting 68 teams from 16 countries, represented by more than 1,000 athletes and administrative personnel.

Launched in 2012, the tournament, which is held every two years, has become a must-attend event in the Arab sporting calendar, bringing together world-class athletes to compete in a unique environment.

Running from February 2-12, the 11-day event is being held in ten venues across Sharjah under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Chairperson of Sharjah Women Sports Foundation (SWSF).

Also attending will be Khalid Abdulaziz, Egyptian Minister of Youth; Shaikha Hayat Bint Abdul Aziz Al Khalifa, member of the Bahraini National Olympic Committee and Chairperson of AWST Follow-up and Supervision; Engineer Sherif Al Aryan, Secretary General of the Egyptian Olympics Committee; HE Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Deputy Head of the SOC, Head of its Executive Committee and Director General of SWSF; and Nour El Sherbini, Egyptian world squash champion.

Held under the theme ‘The World Is Your Court – Together Victorious,’ the tournament is hosting 16 Arab countries represented by 68 teams competing in nine sporting disciplines: basketball, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, archery, shooting, fencing, show jumping, and Karate, which is making its debut at AWST 2018.

With 68 teams this year, compared to 51 that took part in the 2016 tournament, the figures reflect not only the highest level of competition, but also the success of AWST in terms of organisation, preparation and promotion. This adds a new benchmark to Sharjah’s record of advancing women’s status in all field.

The 16 countries taking part are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Somalia, Morrocco and Djibouti.

The UAE is represented by the Sharjah Women’s Sports Club, which will compete for top podium places in all nine sporting events.

Also participating from the UAE are Al Wasl Club, which is taking part in the volleyball competitions, Bani Yas Club in fencing, Al Nasr Sports Club in Karate and Al Ain Sports Club in archery.