8th H.H.Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Creative Sports Award Winners Announced

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council & Patron of "H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Creative Sports Award" and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the President of the National Olympic Committee & Chairman of the Award, rewarded winners of the various categories of the 8th Edition of the Award.

The Award, which is affiliated into "Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Initiatives", is the greatest of its kind all over the world with respect to its various categories & financial rewards and the first of its kind ever that deals with creativity in sports work in UAE, Arab World and the entire world.

The winners’ list comprises local & Arab sports leaders, athletes, coaches, referees and other sports figures who serve in the local, Arab & world sports fields.

The winners of the 8th Edition of the Award were rewarded in a prestigious awarding ceremony, held on Monday afternoon at Dubai World Trade Center in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority & Chairman of Emirates Group / H.H. Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussain, the Wife of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The awarding ceremony was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al-Maktoum, Director General of Dubai Dept. of Information & President of the UAE Tennis Association / Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al-Maktoum / H.E. Mater Al-Tayer, the Deputy President of DSC / several official persons in the sports sector.

The awarding ceremony was inaugurated with recitation for the UAE National Anthem, followed by a short film on the Award.

H.H. Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussain, the President of Jordon Football Association and West Asia Football Federation, presented a brief speech expressing his pleasure to win this prestigious Award, which holds the name of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who is considered as a model for creativity in all fields.

He remarked: "The Award motivates all sportspersons to attain excellence and to keep on the track of distinction".

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, rewarded winners who have gained the medals of the Local Sportsperson, Arab Athlete, Arab Corporation and Arab Team.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai & Minister of Finance, has been named as the Local Sportsperson for his great efforts to boost the sports movement during her presidency for Al-Nasr Club besides his support to Hatta Club, marine sports, equestrian & camel sports and disabled category. The award was received by H.H. Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the President of Al-Nasr Football Co., on behalf of his Father, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

H.H. Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussain, the President of Jordon Football Association and West Asia Football Federation, has been named as the Arab Sportsperson for his eminent role to lead the change movement & combat corruption in FIFA, besides his permanent demands to implement transparency in FIFA’s works to ensure world football prosperity, whether during the period of assuming the Deputy Chairmanship of FIFA or during his election campaign to assume the presidency of FIFA. H.H. Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussain deserves the reward of this category toward his utmost efforts to develop the Jordanian football when he was assuming the presidency of Jordon Football Association, during which Jordan has attained several achievements, the latest of which was the hosting of the FIFA U–17 Women’s World Cup Jordon 2016 in addition to his efforts to enhance football work in West Asia.

The Royal Endurance Team of Bahrain has been rewarded the Arab Team Award For winning distinctive rewards from the International Equestrian Federation in Juniors Endurance World Cup – Chile 2015. The reward was received by H.H. Sheikh Naser Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.

Sheikha Al-Thani Foundation – Egypt:

H.H. Sheikha Sheikha Al-Thani received the Arab Corporation Medal, which is rewarded to Sheikha Al-Thani Foundation in Egypt for its unique humanitarian initiatives; the most eminent of which is the organization of the Orphan & Deprived Children World Cup, besides finding means to cohere orphans & deprived children in the community.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the President of the National Olympic Committee & Chairman of the Award, has awarded winners of the other categories of the Award; as following:

The Local Administrator Award:

Naser Mohammed Ali Al-Tamimi – UAE:

Toward his distinctive administrative efforts & eminent role as Board Member & Financial Secretary for the International Judo Federation since 2007 and up to date. He is presenting vital roles to develop the Judo sport all over the world.

The Local Referee Award:

Khamis Hassan Al-Shamsi – UAE:

He is an international referee in futsal and is classified among the elite referees group in Asia. He managed the final match of the Asian Champions League and the final match of the Futsal World Cup – 2016.

The Local Coach Award:

Ismail Mohammed Al-Jazeeri – UAE:

For attaining local & world achievements in equestrian field. He has served as a coach for the "Emirates Equestrian Team", which has got first places in various competitions.

The Local Corporation Award:

The UAE Paralympic Committee – UAE

The UAE Paralympic Committee has followed a distinctive strategy as a result of which the Committee has gained seven various medals in weightlifting, shooting & athletic competitions, taking into account that these medals are the greatest achievement in the history of the UAE’s participation in the weightlifting, shooting & athletic competitions of the Paralympic Games.

The Arab Athlete Award:

Ahmed Omran Essa Abu Ghush of Jordon and Fahaid Mohammed Fahaid Al-Duhani of Kuwait:

For winning the golden medals of the Taekwondo & shooting Competitions in Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games.

The Arab Referee Award:

Ahmed Helmi Mohammed Qura – Egypt:

For managing the final match of the archery competition in Rio De Janeiro 2016. He is the only Arab referee, who has been nominated as "Referees Chief" of the Archery in World Cup – Morocco 2015.

The Arab Coach Award:

Ali Mezher Al-Zahrani – Saudi Arabia:

He has presented a vital role and shared in gaining world medal in karate in the World Cup – Jakarta 2015 / silver medal in Asian Master Athletic Championships / golden medal of Asian Championship.

The International Corporation Award / The International Summer Federation – Malaysia:

Badminton World Federation, BWF:

Applying voting system, based on full integrity & transparency, in such distinctive way that boosts the election system throughout the world.

The International Corporation Award / The National Paralympic Committee:

British Paralympic Association, IPC:

For implementing a program, based on integrity & transparency, to nominate participants in the Olympic Games, expanding opportunities for athletes to attain medals & motivating the upcoming generations of athletes.

Appreciative Awards:

Local Junior Athlete attained Distinctive Success:

As per the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of DSC & Patron of the Award, and based on the decision of the Board of Trustees of the Award to enable public to participate in the nomination of the best three junior athletes by voting through Dubai Sports Channel & smart application of the Award, six young athletes were named for the final voting, taking into account that voting door was closed on 31st Dec. 2016, while the winners of this category were rewarded in the Final Awarding Ceremony, scheduled 9th Jan. 2017, as per the following ranking:

- 6th Rank: Mahra Malah Essa Al-Rumaithi, who has gained the 1st place & golden medal in the Arab Olympic – Chess (Morocco – Oct. 2015).

- 5th Rank: Reem Ali Hassan Al-Shamaa, who has gained the 1st place in the Arab Epee Dueling Championship.

- 4th Rank: Abdul Rahman Yaser Al-Kitbi, who has got two golden medals in taekwondo in Qatar & Fujairah International Championships.

- 3rd Rank: Reema Mohammed Abdul Rahim Al-Hilo, who has got the 1st place in the Gulf Golf Championship – 2016

- 2nd Rank: Abdulla Anwar Bin Khusaif Al-Nuami, who has attained the title of Qatar International Motorcycling Championship – Motor Cruise category.

- 1st Rank: Mai Ahmed Essa Al-Madani, who has gained nine golden medals in the Arab & Afro–Asian Weightlifting Championship in Jordon – 2016.

The Local Athlete Award:

Yousuf Mohammed Merza:

For attaining silver medal in Asia Cycling and qualifying to Rio De Janeiro Olympics 2016. He has gained 9 golden medals in Arab Championships.

Distinctive Arab Sports Media Initiative Award

Arab States Broadcasting Unions – Tunisia:

For its distinctive & pioneering coverage for the Olympic Summer Games – Rio De Janeiro 2016.

Athlete Attained Success within Major Humanitarian Challenges (Disabled Category)

Marwa Al-Ibrahimi – Tunisia:

For attaining two golden medals (in shot put & scepter competitions of the Paralympic Games – Rio De Janeiro 2016) and breaking the world record.

Distinctive Applied Scientific Innovation

Mohannad Kamel Shaker – Iraq:

For innovating a training device, helping users to master performance and develop muscles, exploited in all kinds of Olympic swimming.

Athlete Attained Top Level Achievement (4 winners)

Inas Bu Bakri – Tunisia: The first Arab female athlete to attain Olympic medal in duel – the bronze medal in Rio De Janeiro Olympics – 2016.

Marwa Al-Amri – Tunisia: The first Arab female athlete to attain Olympic medal in wrestling – the bronze medal in Rio De Janeiro Olympics 2016.

Hadya Ahmed Malak – Egypt: The first Arab female athlete to attain Olympic medal in taekwondo – the bronze medal in Rio De Janeiro Olympics 2016.

Sara Sameer Al-Sayed – Egypt: The first Arab female athlete to attain Olympic medal in weightlifting – bronze medal in Rio De Janeiro Olympics 2016.

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