SWSF and SERC join forces to support female Emirati jockeys

Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation, SWSF, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club to advance women's competitiveness and professionalism in equestrianism and to enhance their presence at regional and international sporting events.

The MoU comes in line with SWSF efforts to motivate women jockeys and give them the opportunity to strengthen their capacity by providing them with the sources necessary to enhance horse-riding and the women's sports sector in general. The agreement was signed by Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Director-General of SWSF, which was established in November 2016, and Sultan Khalifa Al Yahya'ie, Director-General of Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, which was founded in 1982 and is home to the largest indoor horse racing facilities in the Middle East.

The MoU allows talented female associate members of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club to join SWSF's Sharjah Sports Club's women's equestrian team and to participate in its activities and competitions, with a reciprocal arrangement for outstanding female jockeys from SWSF's equestrian team to participate in events and races organised by Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club. The MoU also provides for bilateral cooperation in providing logistics services that will help increase coordination between both entities with regards to sporting events and activities.

Signed at the headquarters of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, the MoU provides for the provision of certain logistics, such as stables and veterinary care. It also aims to strengthen ties, through visits and mutual knowledge exchange, the provision of human cadres and equipment, and the organising of collaborative activities in an effort to hone the athletic skills of the associate members of both entities.

Commenting on the MoU, Nada Askar Al Naqbi said, "Equestrianism enjoys a special place in the UAE and is a popular pursuit among Emirati citizens, with horse racing a local legacy and one celebrated at numerous occasions and festivities. Sharjah specifically hosts a number of clubs specialising in providing training on equestrianism and horse racing and is home to many professional male and female jockeys."

She added, "Our efforts in supporting women's sports align with the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and the directives of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawahar bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SWSF, to promote the presence of women in sport and allow them to compete in international and regional sporting events, so as to achieve championships titles and sporting glory for themselves, their families and their country."

"The MoU is consistent with the strategic objectives that both organisations seek to achieve. We both place a focus on promoting awareness of the importance of sports in women's lives and further integrating women into equestrianism. We are open to more agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with the competent authorities in the country to bring more value to the field of women's sports," she concluded.