His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the national entities, institutions, and companies sponsoring the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament. The tournament was organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, from March 1 to 20, under the slogan "Unlimited Capabilities."
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored several partners and sponsors from government entities, institutions, and companies, presenting them with the tournament shield. These included DAMAC Properties, Al Tayer Motors, Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, and Dubai Duty Free.
His Highness praised the role of the sponsors and partners of the 12th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament in supporting its significant sports and community objectives set by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He commended their active role in achieving the goals of the largest sports tournament of its kind, which promotes sports practice among various community segments, develops the levels of our athletes, and hosts numerous sports championships with the participation of professional and amateur athletes from the UAE and around the world.
Additionally, His Excellency Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, honored several sponsors and partners, including "Insurance Market.ae," Tadawi Healthcare Group, Dubai Police General Command, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Pocari Sweat, and Dubai Health. On the final day of the tournament, His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, honored several supporters, sponsors, and partners, including the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, DP World, and Dubai Sports Channel.
The 12th edition of the tournament saw an increase in the number of participants, exceeding 8,000 athletes, as well as an increase in the number of sports, with the competition program including 11 diverse sports, including Olympic and community sports: volleyball, padel, jiu-jitsu, fencing, wheelchair basketball, running, cycling, tug of war, obstacle challenge, and two new sports: badminton and laser run (shooting with running). The total prize value for athletes and the public increased to AED 4.5 million, with over AED 4 million awarded to winners in various sports competitions, including AED 1.5 million for volleyball winners, AED 764,000 for padel winners, AED 500,000 for cycling winners, AED 370,000 for tug of war winners, AED 350,000 for running winners, AED 350,000 for obstacle challenge winners, AED 210,000 for wheelchair basketball winners, AED 150,000 for jiu-jitsu winners, AED 60,000 for fencing winners, AED 60,000 for laser run winners, and AED 60,000 for badminton winners.
The tournament's organization involved significant efforts in terms of logistics and technical aspects, with competitions held in various locations, including Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, Meydan Track and Streets within Mohammed bin Rashid City, and Dubai Club for People of Determination. The cooperation of partners and sponsors from various departments and institutions supported the organizing committee's efforts to host the event optimally, ensuring safety and care for participants, providing them with ideal conditions for competition and victory, and developing their levels. The tournament also contributes to spreading the culture of sports practice, raising awareness of the importance of sports and physical activity for the health, vitality, and happiness of community members, and providing them with positive energy.
It is worth noting that the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament has seen the participation of nearly 60,000 amateur and professional athletes from inside and outside the country over its 12 editions. They participated in 99 championships for various sports included in the tournament program, which has grown significantly in terms of participant numbers year after year. The first edition in 2013 saw over 1,500 athletes, the second edition over 3,000 participants, the third 4,000 athletes, the fourth 5,000 athletes, the sixth 6,000 athletes, the seventh 7,000 athletes, the eighth edition during the pandemic had 2,500 participants, the ninth over 6,000 athletes, the tenth 5,000 athletes, the eleventh 7,149 athletes, and the twelfth edition saw over 8,000 athletes of various nationalities and ages, both amateurs and professionals.