"Asian Cup of Modern Sailing" .. A platform to enhance the UAE’s position on the map of international marine sports

Sharjah, 7 December / WAM / The announcement of the UAE Modern Sailing and Rowing Federation that the country, represented by Al Hamriyah Club, will host the Asian Youth Cup for Modern Sailing competitions during the period from 25 to 30 December, has established the prestigious position of the UAE in hosting and organizing major international sporting events with high professionalism, in accordance with the best international standards and practices.

This hosting embodies the confidence of the Asian Sailing and Rowing Federation in granting the UAE the right to organize the continental event, based on field data related to advanced facilities and modern infrastructure, in addition to the great capabilities of the Al Hamriyah Club, as testified by the AFC delegation after its visit to the club last August and being informed of its readiness to receive the event.

The tournament is viewed from a broad strategic perspective because it represents an inspiring platform for young people to highlight their abilities in the sport of sailing and modern rowing, develop their skills, and hone their experiences through the various competitions included in the event, thus contributing to the establishment of a new generation of champions on the continent.

The modern sport of rowing and sailing has witnessed remarkable development over the past years, with increasing interest in it from various age groups, and attracting a growing number of male and female athletes to participate in local and foreign tournaments and achieve outstanding results.

The sport of modern sailing and rowing was launched in the mid-nineties at the level of Abu Dhabi and Dubai clubs under the name European Sailing, before the systematic development of the sport began with the establishment of the Emirates Modern Sailing Federation in 2007, where the first board of directors laid the foundation for spreading the game among government and private clubs.

The first years after its establishment witnessed great development, represented by the inclusion of the most prominent players in the ranks of the first national team, winning the Arab gold medal, participating in the 2008 Chinese Olympics, and then hosting the World Championships and the Volvo Ocean Race.

Following the “Corona” pandemic, sports witnessed a qualitative boom headed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, through an integrated road map targeting strategic development, which included holding a local league in the various emirates of the country with eight rounds in which between 120 and 160 male and female competitors participate in each round, which contributed to raising competitiveness and paving the way towards achieving distinguished external results, in addition to the participation of the people of the Gulf countries in state events.

The Emirates Modern Sailing and Rowing Federation has accompanied this renaissance by strengthening partnerships with local and international bodies and institutions, attracting experts, and opening horizons of cooperation with continental and international federations, in addition to signing an agreement with the UAE Special Olympics to support community integration efforts and involve people of determination in the local league, and including the Masters category among its competitions.

The Federation also played a pivotal role externally, including the presidency of the Middle East and West Asia Group, membership in the Board of Directors of the International Federation, the Board of Directors of the Asian Federation, chairmanship of the Development Committee, and membership in the Executive Council of the Arab Federation. It was approved by only 18 federations out of 192 countries around the world, which enhances the UAE’s presence and influence in continental and international marine sports.

The Federation has achieved great successes in many tournaments, most notably the Gulf Youth Games 2023, the Gulf Beach Games in Oman 2025, the Arab Games in Algeria 2023, the Arab Championship in Kuwait 2024, the Arab Women’s Championship in Bahrain 2024, the “ELCA 6” World Championship in Germany 2025, and the Asian Optimist Championship in Abu Dhabi. 2023, Oman 2025, and the World Masters Championships in Mexico 2022, Thailand 2023, and Australia 2024.

His Excellency Humaid Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Hamriyah Cultural and Sports Club, confirmed the club’s full readiness to host the tournament, explaining that preparations had begun early in cooperation with the Emirates Modern Sailing and Rowing Federation, the Sharjah Sports Council and strategic partners, to ensure an ideal organization consistent with the state’s status.

He added that the club has high-level facilities that have qualified it to be an international training center accredited by the International Sailing Federation, in addition to its own hotel to host participating delegations, and all the necessary logistical requirements.

For his part, Mohammed Abdullah Al-Obaidli, Secretary-General of the Federation, stressed that hosting the tournament at Al-Hamriyah Club represents a qualitative milestone that is widely followed because of its impact in enhancing the legacy of sports and inspiring different generations, indicating the Federation’s keenness to adopt development initiatives, support the stages of professionalism, and provide training opportunities and participation in all tournaments.

Zuhair Al-Labbat, technical director of the federation, described the tournament as a major shift in the careers of male and female national team players, and an opportunity to demonstrate their readiness and ability to compete, and to enhance the UAE’s presence in continental and international forums, especially with the availability of experience gained through contact with the continent’s elite champions.

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