
Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship 2025 kicks off in Ajman
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, and in the presence of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development, the 58th Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship kicked off today (Sunday June 15, 2025) in Ajman. Hosted for the first time by the Ajman Tourism Development Department, the prestigious event is taking place at the Emirates Hospitality Centre and will continue through June 17, 2025.
Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi expressed his pride in Ajman hosting the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship for the first time, pointing out that the event has drawn the attention of the global sports community to the Emirate.
He stated, 'This championship represents a pivotal opportunity to showcase Ajman's remarkable organisational capabilities and highlight the Emirate's rich cultural heritage and tourism appeal. Hosting such a major international event reflects the global sports community's confidence in Ajman's potential and infrastructure It is a key milestone in our broader strategy to position Ajman as a premier destination for world-class sporting events—driven by our robust tourism offerings and logistical strengths. This, in turn, will play a vital role in boosting the local economy, particularly the tourism and hospitality sectors.'
Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Body Building and Fitness Federation, highlighted the UAE's organising of the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship in Ajman as a significant addition to the UAE's track record of professionally and uniquely conducting sports events. He also expressed his appreciation for the support and patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, noting that it lays the foundation for the exceptional hosting of the ongoing championship in Ajman. He further emphasised that the event plays a key role in advancing the sport of bodybuilding across
local, regional and global arenas. In addition, the event is expected to pave the way for a meaningful transition by fostering this sport as an integral part of the lifestyle while encouraging stronger and long-term participation in bodybuilding and fitness events in the future.
Furthermore, Sheikh Abdullah Al Sharqi pointed out that Ajman's modern infrastructure, combined with the esteemed reputation of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development, reflects the robust confidence in attaining continued success for Emirati sport. He also extended his best wishes to all athletes, encouraging them to embrace the championship's spirit of healthy competition as they strive to realise their rightful ambitions.
H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director-General, Ajman Tourism Development Department, said: 'This renowned championship offers us a significant platform to demonstrate our remarkable organisational capabilities and highlight Ajman's leading tourism and cultural attractions. In addition, it serves as a major milestone in our continuous efforts to reinforce Ajman's position as an ideal location to host major regional and international events while paving the way for sustainable local economic growth and advancing national development goals.'
The championship commenced with an official inauguration ceremony, which was hosted by Tourism Development Department, marking the beginning of competitions across various categories. These include Classic Bodybuilding (Juniors, Men, and Masters), Women's Acrobatics, Women's Artistic Fitness, Fit Model (Women, Juniors, and Masters), Men's Fitness, Women's and Masters Physique, Women's Fit Model, Women's Physique, Body Fitness (Women, Juniors, and Masters), Women's Body Fitness, Women's and Juniors Wellness, Open Fit Pairs, and Bikini (Juniors and Women).
The event serves as a thriving platform offering various opportunities to highlight Ajman's organisational capabilities and exhibit its tourism and cultural assets. Furthermore, it exemplifies the robust collaboration between all stakeholders, especially Tourism Development Department and the Emirates Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation. The move comes in line with the ambitious vision of the wise leadership to strengthen Ajman's tourism and sports sectors to host championships and international events, further reinforcing the emirate's standing as a global leader.
This championship marks a significant step in Ajman's broader strategy to promote synergy between tourism and sports sectors, in line with the ambitious goal to position the emirate as one of the most sought-after destinations for major sporting events.
Furthermore, the event underscores Ajman's rapidly developing infrastructure, especially in tourism and logistics, which exemplifies its potential to host world-class gatherings while contributing to local economic growth, empowering the tourism and hospitality sector and opening new investment opportunities across these vital sectors.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Etihad
11 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi holds awareness sessions about Emirati Family Growth Programme, Numou and Medeem initiative
21 June 2025 13:17 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Community Development (DCD), in collaboration with the Presidential Court Majalis Abu Dhabi, has hosted a series of sessions for community members to raise awareness on the Medeem initiative and the Emirati Family Growth Program, sessions shed light on the objectives and successes of both initiatives, encouraging youth and soon-to-be-married couples to embrace an approach rooted in Emirati heritage—one that promotes simplicity, mutual understanding, and shared responsibility as the foundation for happy, stable sessions, which were attended by Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of DCD, and Engineer Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of DCD, and included a series of interactive discussion sessions across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al sessions fostered direct engagement with community members, addressing their questions, gathering feedback, and sharing insights on the design and impact of both Medeem and highlighted the critical role of the sessions as open forums for meaningful dialogue where youth and families can share their experiences, including success stories from Medeem, which has empowered couples to build stable marriages with reduced financial burdens. Aligned with the Year of the Community, the department reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with partners like Majalis Abu Dhabi to deliver tailored community programmes that meet the needs of the youth and Emirati families. These efforts underscore the enduring importance of reaching diverse segments of the community across all regions of the emirate. The sessions were held at various community majalis across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, including Baniyas Majlis, Al Aliah Majlis, Mazid Majlis, Al Masoudi Majlis, and Mohammed Al Mahmoud Majlis. In the Al Dhafra region, a session was also hosted at the Madinat Zayed Majlis. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi


Gulf Today
11 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Ministry of Sports launches ‘Talent Committee Platform' to identify and nurture Talent
The Ministry of Sports launched the 'Talent Committee Platform', an initiative overseen by the UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support (UAETSS), which is a key body within the Ministry. The announcement was made during a formal ceremony in Dubai, attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports; and Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector and Chairman of the UAETSS. The event gathered leading national sports figures, investors, federation and club representatives, and a number of athletes. The Talent Committee Platform is designed to transform the way athletic talent is identified and developed across the UAE. Serving as a unified access point for all stakeholders in the sports ecosystem, including athletes, parents, coaches, scouts, clubs, federations, and educational institutions, it offers easy access to a comprehensive and accurate database. The platform is fully integrated with the Ministry's recently launched 'Sportifai' digital platform, enabling real-time, data-driven monitoring of athletes' performance and growth. This integration supports transparent and objective assessments of both technical skills and physical development of the athletes. Dr. Falasi highlighted that the launch of the platform reflects the vision of the UAE's wise leadership in advancing sports excellence and ensuring long-term sustainability through innovative technologies and strategic collaborations. He said: 'The introduction of the 'Talent Committee Platform' represents a major milestone in establishing an intelligent, integrated sports ecosystem - one that can identify promising talent from an early stage and support their growth through structured development programs driven by data, digital governance, and partnership. This platform not only offers advanced digital tools but also creates a comprehensive national framework that links schools, academies, clubs, and federations. Using digital governance, it streamlines talent identification and development processes, enhances overall performance, and makes access to emerging athletic potential across the UAE easier." 'Recognising talent from a young age is fundamental to shaping elite athletes and is the central factor in achieving success in Olympics and international competitions. This project will significantly contribute to the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031 by increasing the number of Emirati athletes qualifying for the Olympic Games. Our current priority is to establish a sustainable national system that not only identifies promising talent but also supports their growth toward the highest standards of competitive performance,' he added. During the ceremony, Hajeri, delivered the opening speech, as he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all supporters and sponsors whose contributions have been instrumental to the success of this groundbreaking national initiative. He highlighted that their continued support is crucial in creating a sustainable sports ecosystem that empowers Emirati athletes and enhances their potential for excellence and success. Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, during his speech at the ceremony stated: 'This new platform is a key component of the Ministry's broader digital transformation strategy. It plays a central role in the talent discovery system by integrating digital analytics, data, and technical assessments with personalised talent development pathways. With the aid of advanced technology and a well-defined strategic vision, the platform lays the foundation for a sustainable national system to discover and develop talent, while enhancing the competitiveness of UAE sports and reinforcing its presence on the global stage.' 'The platform plays a crucial role in creating a unified, science-based framework for talent evaluation, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the selection process. It offers advanced analytical tools to track development and performance metrics, enabling informed decisions on the qualification and advancement of athletes at every stage. By providing an integrated environment that includes technical support, training camps, opportunities for local and international competition, and academic guidance, the platform ensures that the athletes see a balanced growth, both in sports and academic careers.' He further pointed out that the UAETSS remains fully committed to identifying athletic talent and providing support for emerging athletes through a well-organised development pathway aimed at preparing them to reach the highest professional level. The ceremony witnessed the announcement of 58 outstanding athletic talents selected as the first batch of athletes to join the platform and benefit from the Committee's official support programs. These talents were chosen following a rigorous evaluation process conducted in collaboration with sports federations and specialized scouts. They represent 13 different sports, including: badminton (12 athletes), swimming (7), archery (7), taekwondo (6), athletics (5), chess (5), rowing and sailing (4), fencing (3), shooting (2), golf (2), football (2), table tennis (2), and triathlon (1 athlete). The event also featured a presentation of the Talent Committee Platform, including a detailed explanation of the registration process for talented athletes. It also highlighted the pivotal role the platform will play in advancing the sports development journey in the UAE and achieving national sports ambitions. The platform is currently in its pilot phase, in preparation for its official public launch, which is scheduled for the first week of July. The selection of athletic talents for the UAETSS followed two main pathways: the first involved direct nominations from sports federations for athletes who demonstrated outstanding performance and the potential to represent the country internationally. The second pathway relied on talent identification during the finals of the School Games, through specialized scouting teams in collaboration with PlayerMaker and Precision Football, utilizing advanced digital analysis tools to detect promising potential. During the event, Falasi honored individuals and entities that have supported the Committee by awarding them the 'Sports Giving Award'. The UAETSS has activated a growing network of supporters from both the public and private sectors, classified into three main tiers: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. This financial support forms a key pillar in funding the Committee's programs. The Gold category features a distinguished group of supporters, including MAIR group, General Holding Company – Industries, Al Waha Capital, Dolphin Energy Limited, Al Dhahira Holding Group, HSBC Bank, Dr. Ali Saeed bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Abu Dhabi Airports, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, the Economic Balance Council, and the National Marine Dredging Company. Supporters in the Silver category include a diverse group of entities and individuals, such as Emirates Telecommunications Corporation – Etisalat, Lulu Group, Aldar Properties, Seddiqi Holding Group, Binouna Al Gharbia Group, Al Hilal Bank, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company – du, Dr. Abduljaleel Abdulrahman Al Bulooki, Al Masaood Company, Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Acron Trading and Transport Company, H.E. Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Umair Travel Agency, Apparel Group, Al Baraka International Investment, and Emirates Automobile Club. The Bronze category featured a list of supporters, including Sadiq Fath Al Khaja, Abdulhamid Abdulrahman Al Khouri, Rashid Mubarak Al Hajri, Mohammed Rasool Khouri & Sons, and Mohammed Abduljaleel Al Faheem. Notably, the UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support, founded in 2021, plays a key role in shaping and executing programs aimed at identifying and developing athletic talent. The Committee has forged partnerships with sports federations, clubs, and educational institutions to cultivate a new generation of athletes fully prepared to compete on the international stage, within a sustainable and professional sporting environment. The UAETSS carries out its duties in close collaboration with government entities, sports federations, schools, clubs, and academies to identify and develop high-level athletes across the country. The UAETSS is focused on achieving several strategic goals, and the most significant among them is enhancing the systems for identifying sports talent across the UAE, creating an environment that supports athletic growth, and ensuring access to the resources needed for athletes to reach the highest levels of performance. Moreover, through its various programs, the Committee offers comprehensive support to athletes along multiple development pathways. This includes access to state-of-the-art training facilities, expert coaching by specialised professionals, training camps within the country as well as abroad, valuable opportunities to participate in competitive tournaments, and complete administrative assistance to support the athletes' progression in sports.


Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
NAMA's programme empowers women across Sharjah
When Mariam Al Naqbi, a mother from Al Madam in Sharjah, started teaching her children about saving during dinner, it was more than just a new routine. It reflected a deeper shift in how she viewed money, no longer just a source of stress, but a means to plan, learn, and even dream. She was one of nearly 200 women across Sharjah who recently participated in the 'Financial Literacy Programme' organised by NAMA Women Advancement (NAMA). Participants in Sharjah city, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, and Al Madam engaged in practical training designed to demystify personal finance and provide effective strategies for saving, budgeting, and informed spending. Building financial confidence Led by financial consultant Salah Al Halyan, the programme moved beyond theory, and participants were encouraged to apply what they learned in real-life scenarios, from creating monthly budgets to assessing the risks and benefits of borrowing. The sessions focused on building financial confidence, particularly among women at the early stages of their professional or family journeys. For Latifa Al Mulla from Kalba, the course offered something she had long needed: clarity. 'I felt like I finally had a roadmap,' she said. 'I used to feel overwhelmed by monthly expenses. Now I see where the money goes, and I feel in control.' The programme also instilled the confidence needed to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions. One participant from Dibba Al Hisn, who had shelved her dream of starting a small home business, said the training gave her both the numbers and the mindset to move forward. 'I always thought finance was too complicated for me. Now I know how to plan and start with what I have.' Such outcomes reflect a broader philosophy that drives NAMA's efforts, with the belief that true empowerment begins with understanding. The organization emphasises that financial literacy is not just a useful skill but is essential for long-term stability, security, and meaningful economic participation. UAE benchmark for balance and equal opportunity While the course was tailored to women's personal experiences, its relevance extends to national priorities as well. According to the UAE Ministry of Finance, Emirati women account for 54.7 per cent of employees in the federal financial sector and hold 42.8 per cent of its leadership positions. In total, they represent more than three-quarters of the workforce in this field. These figures point to a wider trend, the growing role of women in shaping the country's financial future. Among Emirati youth, 78.12 per cent are female, underscoring the importance of early, sustained investment in their capabilities. Under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA, the organisation has prioritised financial education as a tool for personal growth and community resilience. Initiatives like the 'Financial Literacy Programme' are part of a broader push to equip women not only to participate in economic life, but to lead it. For Mariam, Aisha, and their fellow participants, the programme's impact is vividly clear. It's reflected in newly drafted savings plans, and carefully managed household budgets that now guide their financial decisions. This shift to informed action and confidence empowers their financial journeys, actively shaping their futures.