Hamdan bin Mohammed honors FIFA President, Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Novak Djokovic with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum World Sports Award 2025

The “World Sports Summit”, which began today in Dubai, witnessed the honoring of the winners of the thirteenth session of the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum World Sports Award”, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum World Sports Award, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour. Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated the winners of this year’s award, expressing his appreciation for the contributions and achievements they made that qualified them to win it. His Highness said: “Today we are pleased to honor a new elite of sports figures, leaders, decision-makers and heroes from the UAE, the Arab region and the world, who have achieved great global achievements and added their names to the records of championships and historical achievers.”

His Highness added: “Dubai reaffirms that it is a meeting place for the world and a major partner in creating the future, and that sports occupies a distinguished position at the forefront of concerns at the governmental and popular levels. Dubai will continue its pioneering role as a global destination keen to celebrate those with success stories and excellence in various fields, including sports.” His Highness added: “We will continue our effective contribution to creating a better future and consolidating the approach to excellence in work while upholding the values ​​of leadership and giving.”

The winners of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Sports Award, the largest of its kind in terms of value and number of categories, were honored during the first days of the “World Sports Summit” organized by the Dubai Sports Council on December 29 and 30 under the slogan “We unite the world through sports,” with the participation of more than 1,500 leaders of the sports sector in the UAE, the Arab region and the world, and international sports stars who participate in the summit sessions, attend its activities, and discuss the future of global sports and ways to develop it.

During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the President of Paris Saint-Germain, the winner of the World Sports Leadership Award and the World Sports Team Award, Nasser Al-Khelaifi. His Highness also honored the international Serbian tennis star, Novak Djokovic, with the World Lifetime Achievement Award, and the President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, with the World Sports Foundation Award.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took a group photo that included many international sports stars, leadership and sports figures, and speakers participating in the “World Sports Summit.”

In addition, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum World Sports Award, on the first day of the World Sports Summit, honored His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, with the Emirati Sports Personality Award, and His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the Arab Sports Personality Award.

His Highness the Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Sports Award, also honored: Filipino world boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, Italian star Roberto Baggio, Brazilian star Ronaldo, and Spanish star Andre Iniesta with the World Sports Career Award.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, honored the star Hamza Chimaev with the Emirati Athlete Award, Al Ain Football Club with the Emirati Sports Team Award, Emirati jiu-jitsu player Ghala Al Hammadi with the Promising Emirati Star Award, and Egyptian Olympic champion Ahmed El Gendy with the Arab Athlete Award.

His Highness also honored Tunisian tennis player Ons Jaber and Qatari Olympic champion Mutaz Essa Barshim with the Arab Sports Career Award, Pakistani Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem with the Exceptional Sports Achievement Award, Danish Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen with the World Athlete Award, American Olympic champion Ibtihaj Muhammad with the World Inspirational Athlete Award, and both Italian football star Paolo Maldini and French basketball star Tony Parker with the World Sports Career Award.

It is worth noting that the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Sports Award” was launched in 2008, and in its first twelve sessions it was called the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sports Creativity Award.

The launch of the award in its new form reflects Dubai’s vision of expanding the concept of sports excellence, to include globally influential models at the level of individuals, institutions and initiatives, in a way that enhances the humanitarian and developmental role of sports.