The fifth edition of the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST) 2020, organised by Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS) from February 2–12 in Sharjah, will see 18 clubs from 9 countries compete in two team sports: basketball and volleyball.Starting on February 3, 2020, the basketball competitions will feature teams representing the UAE’s Sharjah Women’s Sports Club, Al Fuheis Club (Jordan), Al Fatat Sport Club (Kuwait), Groupement Sportif des Pétroliers (Algeria), Riffa Sports Club (Bahrain), Al-Sahel Sports Club (Syria), Sporting Club (Egypt), Elite Athletic Club (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Al Amal Sportif and Al Watan Al Qabali from Tunisia.The volleyball competitions, also starting on February 3, 2020, will see the participation of the Sharjah Women’s Sports Club and Al Wasl Sports Club from the UAE, De La Salle from Jordan, Groupement Sportif des Pétroliers from Algeria, Al Ahli Club from Bahrain, Taldara Club from Syria, Sporting Club from Egypt, Saudi Club from the KSA and Club Sportif Sfaxien from Tunisia.The training sessions and competitions in both basketball and volleyball will be held on the grounds of SWS, University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah Youth (Wasit), Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, and Sharjah Sports Club (Samnan).According to HE Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Deputy Head of AWST’s Supreme Organising Committee, Head of its Executive Committee and Director General of SWS, “Arab sportswomen are gearing up to showcase their professionalism and skills in team sports at this prestigious tournament. The fifth edition of AWST will witness fierce competition amongst teams and will naturally boost the female sporting landscape of the Arab world.” She added: “The 2020 edition of AWST is a reflection of the remarkable advancement of women’s sports across the Gulf region,” she added. “AWST 2020 has attracted the largest number of regional participants since its inception, broadening the geographic base of the tournament. For Emirati sportswomen, AWST is also a platform to develop a spirit of cooperation and nurture positive relationships with their Arab counterparts. AWST fosters teamwork and serves as a bridge connecting female sports clubs from across the Arab nations. This tournament will be a stepping stone to further the ambitions of our teams and players as they ready themselves for participation in other international tournaments.”The fifth edition of AWST 2020 will see the participation of 16 Arab countries competing across nine sporting disciplines: shooting, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, show jumping, fencing, archery and karate.The Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST) was launched in 2012, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of SWS. AWST is held biennially in Sharjah.
About the Arab Women Sports Tournament
Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Women Sports (SWS), the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST), is organised by the Sharjah Women Sports (SWS) in partnership with the UAE Sports Council, Sharjah Sports Council and the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees.Launched in 2012, the bi-yearly Olympics-themed women sports tournament, hosts a number of women's sports clubs from more than 15 Arab nations to compete across 9 sports: Karate, Basketball, Volleyball, Fencing, Show Jumping, Shooting, Archery, Athletics and Table Tennis.In 2018, AWST hosted 67 women sports clubs from 16 Arab nations who competed across 9 games, and received media coverage from more than 380 outlets across the Arab region. The fifth edition of the tournament, which is scheduled to kick-start on February 2 - 12, 2020, will play a major role in building on the 5-year success of the AWST brand, and support the growth and development of the regional sports industry and women sports initiatives.