Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club fete athletes, coaches on remarkable success

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club hosted a glittering ceremony to recognise the success of their athletes who achieved remarkable achievements during 2023–2024 season.

The ceremony took place at the sports field of the Sharjah Police Officers Club where the Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club officials hailed the unwavering support of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

The ceremony was attended by the Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Owais, Chairman of the Club’s Board of Directors, alongside board members Khaled Al Nakhi, Mohammed Hamid Al Owais, Obaid Al Asm Al Suwaidi, Ali Obaid Al Hammoudi, and the Club’s Executive Director, Engineer Hanadi Khalifa Al Kabouri, as well as other dignitaries.

The ceremony honored 700 players, coaches, and administrators across six sports: taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, karate, mixed martial arts, judo, and wrestling.

Club players succeeded in securing a total of 2,990 medals during the 2023-2024 season and the start of the current season, across local and international competitions, marking a significant achievement.

Jiu-jitsu and martial arts players won the highest number of medals, totaling 2,444 medals for the 2023-2024 season including 485 gold medals.

In terms of excellence awards, the club won awards in four categories within the Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Award for Sports Excellence, the Best Youth Jiu-Jitsu Academy in the World award, the General Excellence Shield in the Sharjah Sports Council Award for Sports Sustainability, the Ideal Club Award in the Taekwondo Federation, and first place in the "Sharjah Sports Summer – Our Vacation Is Different" programme.

The club also reached the finals in the Future Work Environment Competition for the Best Learning and Development Initiative and Best Community Initiative.

The chairman of the Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club Board of Directors expressed his highest gratitude and appreciation to the Ruler of Sharjah for his ongoing support of the club’s athletes, affirming the club's commitment to promoting sports as a way of life.

He also highlighted the strong interest of national talents in joining the club and emphasized the continued successes achieved by the club members on both local and international stages.

Owais also expressed gratitude for the support of the Sharjah Sports Council, which leverages all resources to ensure the success of the club's efforts and the achievement of these accomplishments.

Engineer Hanadi Khalifa Al Kabouri praised the efforts of the club’s Board of Directors, which contributed to the club's continued success across various fields.

Owais honored the club's partners, sponsors, employees, a select group of media representatives, and players.