Under the patronage of the Ministry of Sports, the UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support (UAETSS) has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation to support the development of three promising female athletes.
The agreements cover Fatima Al Suwaidi, an Under-21 shooting athlete, and Mona Al Shara and Samiya Odinaeva, both Under-18 archers. Together, the MoUs strengthen collaboration between the two organisations to unify athlete development pathways and advance the growth of women’s sport across the UAE.
Supporting the next generation of female athletes
The partnership forms part of the Committee’s Pathway for Sports Champion programme, which focuses on identifying, developing, and supporting talented Emirati athletes across a range of sports.
Under the agreements, the athletes will receive structured support through tailored preparation plans, training programmes, and competition opportunities.
Developed in coordination with the Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation and technical staff, the programmes are designed to enhance both technical and physical performance while preparing the athletes for national and international competition.
The MoUs were signed by H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports and Chairman of the UAETSS, and H.E. Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of the Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation.
The signing ceremony was attended by the three athletes and their parents, alongside officials from the Ministry of Sports and representatives of the Foundation.
Expanding opportunities for women in sport
Speaking during the signing ceremony, H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum said the agreements represent another important step towards supporting female talent in individual sports.
His Excellency highlighted that the initiative reflects the Committee’s commitment, together with its partners, to expanding opportunities for women by creating an integrated environment that supports athlete development and strengthens competitiveness.
He also noted that these efforts align with the UAE leadership’s vision of empowering women across all sectors, particularly sport.
His Excellency added:
“Through these partnerships under the ‘Pathway for Sports Champion’ programme, we are strengthening our commitment to developing promising athletes by providing them comprehensive development opportunities.
Our goal is to guide talented athletes from the early stages of their sporting journey through to top-tier competitions, thus helping to prepare a new generation of female champions who can honourably represent the UAE and raise the national flag on international stages.”
Recognising Sharjah’s contribution to women’s sport
The Ministry of Sports and the UAETSS also praised the pioneering role of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs, for establishing an integrated sports ecosystem that supports female participation, nurtures emerging talent, and develops athletes within a professional environment.
They noted that these efforts continue to play an important role in identifying and developing national sporting talent across the UAE.
Unified approach to athlete development
H.E. Hanan Al Mahmoud welcomed the partnership and praised the Ministry of Sports and the UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support for their continued efforts to develop Emirati athletes and strengthen collaboration across the national sports ecosystem.
Her Excellency said the agreements represent an important milestone in aligning long-term athlete development strategies and creating a coordinated framework that supports sustainable performance pathways.
She said:
“At the Foundation, we follow a holistic development approach that is not limited to technical training; rather, it encompasses physical, technical, and psychological assessment, as well as nutrition and recovery, data and technology, and sustainability and governance-enabling an accurate reading of each athlete’s development pathway and the translation of performance indicators into actionable and trackable preparation plans.”
Her Excellency added:
“These MoUs further strengthen coordination around those plans, while supporting the implementation of training programmes, preparation camps, and competitions, in integration with the relevant national sports federations, ensuring clear development pathways and participation in training camps and championships, and supporting athletes’ readiness to represent national teams-alongside performance monitoring, the submission of technical reports, and the activation of mental preparation pathways and specialised support when needed, and clearly defining the responsibilities of all stakeholders, including the Foundation, the Committee, and the technical teams.”
Concluding her remarks, H.E. Hanan Al Mahmoud said:
“The selection of three athletes from the Sharjah Women’s Sports Club in shooting and archery highlights the value of investing in emerging talent in sports that demand precision, discipline, and sustained performance.
Developing excellence in these disciplines requires cumulative preparation and continuous monitoring, beginning with talent identification and extending beyond mere participation to strengthen an athlete’s competitiveness and enable them to achieve success.”
Comprehensive support pathway
Under the MoUs, the UAETSS will provide approved financial support for athlete development programmes, alongside services that support each athlete’s long-term preparation pathway.
The Committee will also review technical plans, monitor athlete progress, assess the impact of support programmes, and oversee regular evaluations covering sporting performance, attendance, health, and academic achievement.
Meanwhile, the Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation will coordinate training camps, competitions, and international participation in collaboration with the relevant national sports federations.
The Foundation will also monitor athlete performance through domestic and international competitions, analyse performance data, prepare technical reports, and integrate findings into short, medium, and long-term development plans.
In addition, it will continue to provide a holistic athlete development system covering physical preparation, technical development, psychological support, nutrition, technology, and mental performance to ensure sustainable progress and long-term competitive success.
Building future champions
The agreements follow several recent partnerships signed under the Pathway for Sports Champion programme across sports including cycling, modern sailing, badminton, and other disciplines.
Together, these initiatives reflect the Committee’s ongoing commitment to discovering promising talent, strengthening specialised sports, and enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness at regional and international level.
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