In keeping with its commitment to offering sportswomen a platform to compete and showcase their talents, the Supreme Organising Committee of the Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST) 2020 has announced the participation ofthe Lebanese Republic and Union of the Comoros at the fifth edition of the event,which runs from February 2–12in Sharjah.With this addition, the number of participants has increased to 18 countries represented by 78 clubs, making it the largest participation in AWST since its inception in 2012 by the Sharjah Women’s Sports.Lebanese female equestrians will compete with their counterparts from the UAE, Syria, Sudan and Jordan while the Comorian show jumping team faces peers from the UAE, KSA, Oman, Bahrain, Palestine and Libya. HE Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Deputy Head of AWST’s Supreme Organising Committee, Head of its Executive Committee and Director General of SWS, said: “For four seasons now, AWST has served as an excellent platform for sportswomen to showcase their professionalism and skills. Its fifth edition this yearrepresents the culmination of our efforts, as it hosts the largest number of countries, clubs and sportswomen who are together elevating the prestige of Arab women’s sports on the international sporting arena.”“The steady rise in number of countries and clubs highlights the soaring popularity of AWST, which is a coveted platform for participants to develop their skills, talents and capabilities. The event reflects the remarkable advancement of women’s sports across the Arab world and has a positive impact in strengthening fraternal relationships between the participating countries. We believe that sports fosters teamwork, and reinforces the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, and we look forward to welcoming our sisters from Lebanon and the Comoros,” she added.TheSharjah Sports Club in Samnan will host the inaugural ceremony of AWST’s fifth edition on February 2nd, which is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson SWS.
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.