Winners of the 8th edition of the Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award were honoured on Monday in a grand ceremony held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, and patron of the award, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the award, crowned Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, as the ‘UAE Sports Personality’ award for his service in the upliftment and encouragement of various sports in the UAE and abroad. In addition to being the President of Al Nasr Club, Sheikh Hamdan supports Hatta Club that bagged a promotion into Division One of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) this season.

Sheikh Hamdan is a willing supporter of special needs sports and various sailing and maritime activities that seek to preserve the heritage and culture of the UAE. HH is also considered one of the symbols in equestrian, horse racing and camel racing.

Prince Ali bin Al Hussain of Jordan, President of the Jordan Football Association and West Asian Football Federation, was bestowed with the ‘Arab Sports Personality’ award for his vision in seeking to weed out corruption in the FIFA, the international governing body of football, and introducing governance and transparency in its activities during his capacity as Vice President of FIFA. Thanks to his relentless efforts, Jordan successfully organised the FIFA Under-17 Girls World Cup.

Full list of winners: UAE Sports Personality Award: Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance Arab Sports Personality Award: Prince Ali Bin Al Hussain, President, Jordan Football Association UAE Administrator Award: Nasser Al Tamimi, General Secretary, UAE Taekwondo and Judo Federation UAE Referee Award: Khamis AlShamsi, UAE Futsal UAE Coach Award: Ismail AlJeziri, Equestrian UAE Organisation Award: UAE Paralympic Committee – seven medals at Rio Paralympics in three sports (athletics, shooting and weightlifting) Arab Athlete of the Year: Shared by Ahmad Abughaush (Jordan, gold in taekwondo in Rio) and Fehaid Aldeehani (Kuwait, Double Trap shooting gold in Rio) Arab Referee Award: Ahmed Koura, Egypt Arab Coach Award: Ali Al Zahrani, Saudi Arabia, Karate Arab Team Award: Royal Endurance Team of Bahrain Arab Organisation Award: Sheikha Al Thani for Underpriviledged Children (SATUC), Egypt International Federation of the Year Award: Badminton World Federation (BWF), Malaysia International Paralympic Federation of the Year Award: British Paralympic Association (BPA), United Kingdom Recognition to Local Emerging Athlete Award: Mai Al Madani, Weightlifting;Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Motorcycle sports;Rima AlHelou, Golf; AbdulRahman Al Ketbi, Taekwondo; Reem Al Chamaa, Fencing; Mahra Al Rumaithi, Chess.

International Athlete with Recognition (Disabled Category): Maroua Brahmi (Shot Put, Tunisia) Best Scientific Sports Innovation Award: Mohannad Kamel, Iraq Distinguished Athletes Achievement Sports Awards: Inas Boubakri (Fencing, Tunisia); Marwa Amri (Wrestling, Tunisia), Hedaya Malak (Taekwondo, Egypt); Sarah Samir (Weightlifting, Egypt) Sports Media Innovative Award: Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), Tunisia UAE Outstanding Athlete Award: Yousuf Mirza (Cycling) The award presentation ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and a number of Sheikhs and leaders of the sports community.

Source: emirates247.com