(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, on Wednesday honoured the winners of the 9th Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award at a ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The Award is an entity that operates under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan said: "We are a country that prides itself in taking a creative approach to work and offering a fertile ground for creative people. We strongly support creative athletes and officials since they contribute - not just locally but also internationally - towards the advancement of sport. Sport is not just an important human activity but also a reflection of a country's progress and evolution.
Princess Rima bint Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who became the first woman to lead a Saudi sports federation when she took over as President of the Federation for Community Sports in October this year, received the Arab Sports Personality Award. Princess Rima also holds the position of Deputy President of Saudi Arabia's Sports Authority for Planning and Development.
Princess Rima delivered a speech on behalf of all the winners in which she thanked Sheikh Hamdan and the organisers of the Award. She said that Arab youth are driving creativity and progress in the region, and the values and ethos that Arab sportsmen share are helping them succeed in various international competitions.
The award ceremony featured a number of sporting activities that highlighted the values of competition, creativity and ambition.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, president of the UAE National Olympic Committee and chairman of the Award, honoured six UAE emerging athletes.
The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chief executive of Emirates Group; Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated; Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, deputy chairman of Police and Public Security; Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, chairman of the General Authority for Sports, and Saeed Hareb, secretary-general of Dubai Sports Council, along with a number of senior officials and sports personalities.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, Mattar Al Tayer thanked Sheikh Hamdan, the patron of the award, for his "unlimited support and guidance" and the President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his "leadership", which have helped turn the awards into one of the most sought-after recognitions not just in the Arab world but also on the global stage.
"The increase in the number of entries at all levels - local, Arab and international - confirms the status of the award and the significant role it plays in achieving the desired development of the sports sector, and the establishment of a culture of creativity and excellence in sports work," Al Tayer said.
The Award, launched in 2009, has given away a total prize money of DH61 million since its inception and honoured a total of 302 local, Arab and global winners representing 54 countries.
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