Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation (SWSF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club to advance women's competitiveness and professionalism in equestrianism and to enhance their presence at regional and international sporting events.The MoU comes in line with SWSF's efforts to motivate women ridersand give them the opportunity to strengthen their capacity by providing them with the sources necessary to enhance horse-riding and the women's sports sector in general. The agreement was signed by HE Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Director General of SWSF, which was established in November 2016, and HE Sultan Khalifa Al Yahya'ie, Director General of Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, which was founded in 1982 and is home to the largest indoor horse racing facilities in the Middle East.The MoU allows talented female associate members of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club to join SWSF's Sharjah Sports Club's women's equestrian team and to participate in its activities and competitions, with a reciprocal arrangement for outstanding female horse riders from SWSF's equestrian team to participate in events and races organised by Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club. The MoU also provides for bilateral cooperation in providing logistics services that will help increase coordination between both entities with regards to sporting events and activities.
Signed at the headquarters of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, the MoU provides for the provision of certain logistics, such as stables and veterinarycare for horses. It also aims to strengthenties through visits and mutual knowledge exchange, the provision of human cadres and equipment and the organising of collaborative activities in an effort to hone the athletic skills of the associate members of both entities. Commenting on the MoU, Nada Askar Al Naqbi said: "Equestrianism enjoys a special place in the UAE and is a popular pursuit among Emirati citizens, with horse racing a local legacy and one celebrated at numerous occasions and festivities. Sharjah specificallyhosts a number of clubs specialising in providing training on equestrianism and horse racing and is home to many professional male and female riders." She added: "Our efforts in supporting women's sports align with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr.Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and the directives of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawahar bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SWSF, to promote the presence of women in sport and allow them to compete in international and regional sporting events, so as to achieve championships titles and sporting glory for themselves, their families and their country." "The MoU is consistent with the strategic objectives that both organisations seek to achieve. We both place a focus on promoting awareness of the importance of sports in women's lives and further integrating women intoequestrianism. We are open to more agreements and memorandums of understanding with the competent authorities in the country to bring more value to the field of women's sports,” she continued.
For his part, Al Yahya'ieexpressed his delight over the signing of the MoU with the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation, saying that it is a move that will contribute greatly to mobilising efforts to support women in sports and will optimise the benefits from pooling mutual resources. He expressed his hope that the MoU would yield a positive return to be added to the women's sporting achievements in Sharjah and the UAE. "Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club is a leading destination for lovers of horse-riding, in particular women, who make up a significant proportion of the club's membership. The club spares no effort to provide all the technical facilities needed for the training and qualification of Emirati female riders to be able compete locally, regionally and globally and to become champions," AlYahya'ie noted.His Highness Sheikh Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah issued an Emiri decree in November 2016 establishing SWSF.The foundation enjoys financial and administrative independence with full capacity to perform the legal acts necessary to achieve its goals. SWSF is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. She is aided by an advisory committee comprising highly experienced members with acumulative vastamount of knowledge in the field.
About the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation:
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued an Emiri Decree to set up the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation in November 2016. It will have financial and administrative autonomy, legal authority and full capacity to conduct all necessary legal procedures to achieve its objectives. The foundation will operate under Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who will act as chairperson and be assisted by an advisory committee.