Nominations Now Open for the 2025 Fatima bint Mubarak Women Sports Award

The Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has officially announced the opening of nominations for the 9th edition of the Fatima bint Mubarak Women Sports Award, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood — “Mother of the Nation.” The award is also supported and guided by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and President of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Ladies Clubs.

Details of this unique and prominent award — the first of its kind in the region and one of the most highly regarded accolades in Arab sports — were unveiled at a press conference held on Monday, April 28 at the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Professor Najwa Alhosani, Chair of the Judging Committee, Shamsa Saif Al Hanaee, Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy’s Board Member, along with numerous sports leaders, stakeholders, and media representatives.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 2025, while nominations are open from April 28 to September 10, 2025.

The award aims to empower women in sports, spotlight their achievements over the past year, promote excellence and competitiveness in women’s athletics, and create a supportive environment that enables women athletes to elevate their performance to new heights.

With total prize money of AED 2 million, the award features eight categories across individual and group levels:

Individual Categories:

• Best Arab Woman Athlete – AED 600,000
• Best Emirati Woman Athlete – AED 300,000
• Best Youth Athlete – AED 150,000
• Best Paralympic Athlete – AED 250,000
• Best Coach (Male/Female) – AED 150,000
• Best Social Media Influencer in Sports – AED 100,000
• Best Sports Mother – AED 150,000

Group Category:

• Best Team – AED 300,000

A Special Honorary Award will also be presented to the Arab Sports Personality of the Year, selected by the jury, to recognize an individual who has made a significant impact on women’s sports.

Key Quotes and Highlights

H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani emphasized that the award aligns with the UAE leadership’s vision for empowering women across all sectors, particularly in sports, and is supported by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Al Nahyan.

"The award is a key pillar in supporting and developing women’s sports both locally and across the Arab world. It motivates Emirati women to pursue excellence and global recognition,"

Al Awani stated. "In 2024, we received 258 applications, up from 191 in 2023. Submissions from Emirati women rose to 155, compared to 116 the year before. The most competitive category was 'Best Emirati Female Athlete' with 119 entries."

Professor Najwa Al Hosani, Chair of the Judging Committee, extended her gratitude to the award’s patrons and noted that the panel was expanded to five members to ensure a professional and transparent evaluation based on clear and rigorous criteria.

"The judging panel now includes experts from sports, media, and management fields, blending academic and practical experience."

Shamsa Saif Al Hanaee expressed her appreciation to the award's leadership and praised the transformation of the Best Sports Media Personality category into Best Social Media Influencer in Sports, reflecting the pivotal role of digital platforms in amplifying women’s voices in sports.

"This category celebrates influencers who use digital media to promote positive messages and spark dialogue on empowering women in sports."

Nomination Process

Interested candidates can submit their applications via the official website:
🔗 www.fbmwomensportsaward.ae

Sincere Thanks to Our Valued Sponsors
The Fatima bint Mubarak Women Sports Award extends its deepest appreciation to its esteemed sponsors whose generous support continues to drive the success and growth of women’s sports across the region.
We are proud to recognize the unwavering commitment of our official partners ADNOC, Dolphin Energy, Abu Dhabi Media Network, and Abu Dhabi Sports Channels. Their ongoing collaboration plays a crucial role in empowering female athletes and amplifying the reach and impact of this prestigious award.