Fatima Bint Mubarak GCC Basketball Cup winners.

ABU DHABI, Aug 27: Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, as well as the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and Al Ain Ladies Club, extended her heartfelt congratulations to all the teams that participated in the inaugural Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy GCC Basketball Cup for Ladies. Hosted at the new headquarters of the Academy in Abu Dhabi, the event exemplified the leadership's commitment to supporting women and creating an ideal environment for sporting excellence.

Her Highness expressed her deepest gratitude to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, also known as the "Mother of the Nation," for her unwavering support across all fields to advance the role of women. The success of this tournament, held in the state-of-the-art sports hall at the new headquarters of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, stands as a testament to these efforts.

Commenting on the event, Her Highness said, "I am immensely proud and joyful over the success of the First Edition of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy GCC Basketball Cup for Ladies. This tournament has celebrated sportsmanship and excellence and showcased outstanding performances and fair competition at the highest level." She added, "We were delighted to welcome our guests from the Gulf countries who participated in this prestigious tournament. Your participation embodies the spirit of cooperation and solidarity that binds our nations and strengthens our fraternal ties. Your presence was instrumental in the success of this event."

In her closing remarks, Her Highness expressed her admiration for Gulf women, particularly Emirati women, who continue to demonstrate exceptional talent and determination across various fields, including sports. She emphasized the importance of supporting women and their potential, which is crucial for further progress and accomplishments.

This message was delivered on the occasion of the Kuwaiti team Al-Qurain winning the title of the First Edition of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy GCC Basketball Cup for Ladies. Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and the directives of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Al-Qurain secured victory in the final against the Qatari team Al-Gharafa with a score of 71-55 at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi. In the third-place match, the Omani team Salalah defeated the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy basketball team with a score of 52-39.

The awards ceremony was attended by senior officials, including His Excellency Talal Al Hashimi, a member of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, alongside representatives from the participating delegations.

The organization of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy GCC Basketball Cup for Ladies is of great importance in promoting and developing women's sports. It provides a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing new talents, thus enhancing the technical and tactical performance of the teams. The tournament garnered unprecedented public and media attention, underscoring the community's interest in women's sports and encouraging the Academy to continue organizing future editions, contributing to the ongoing development of sports and support for female athletes.

In this context, His Excellency Talal Al Hashimi expressed his gratitude to all the entities that contributed to the success of the tournament's first edition. He commended the efforts of sports institutions in the UAE and all the sponsors, including the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, Emirates Transport, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Al Ain Water, and Burjeel Medical City. He emphasized that this success is not just a victory for the Academy but for women's sports in the UAE and the Gulf region. He also noted that the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy has become a national platform for nurturing talents and highlighted the leadership's support for the tournament and its outcomes.

Mr. Abdullah Mutawa, head of the Al-Qurain Kuwaiti Club delegation, expressed pride in his team's performance during the tournament, praising the players' impressive achievements. He noted that the fierce competition contributed to the development and excellence of the players as they prepared for the challenges of the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hamdan Al Zaabi, a Board Member of the UAE Basketball Federation, praised the significant efforts put into organizing women's sports tournaments. He highlighted that this edition has produced a group of talented basketball players and emphasized that collective efforts in women's sports contribute to presenting inspiring role models, reflecting the notable success achieved by the tournament.