UAE Prime Minister

Mohammed attends sports awards

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai today.

To the surprise of those present, Sheikh Mohammed took to the stage just prior to the closing ceremony and posed for photos with the award's board of trustees and the award winners. Those honoured included Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nayhan, who won the Local Sports Personality of the Year Award for his patronage of sports in the UAE and the Head of the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee and President of the Asian Olympic Council Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahd Al Sabah, who took the Arab Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his pleasure with the role played by sports in the UAE and Arab societies, in addition to his appreciation for the deserving award winners in the various categories. He went on to stress that sports and athletes carry the message of friendship and bridge the gaps between nations and peoples around the world. Nineteen awards for creativity in sports were presented in three categories - for individuals, groups and sporting institutions - by Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Citing his satisfaction with the attendance of Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan described his kind gesture as a great boost for the winners and athletes in the UAE and the Arab world. Sheikh Hamdan concluded by congratulating those honoured at the ceremony and wished them further success.

The awards ceremony was also attended by National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Honorary President of the UAE Football Association Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee and President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Awards for Sports Innovation Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of UAE Motorsport Sheikh Marwan bin Rashid Al Mualla, Vice President of Dubai Sports Council Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Media Escort to Sheikh Mohammed and Managing Director of Dubai Media Incorporated Ahmed Abdullah Al Sheikh, Chairman of Al Ahli Club Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director General of the Federal Youth and Sports Authority Ibrahim Abdul Malik, youth and sports leaders and other senior officials.