Pak female shuttlers will not wear skirts: PBF

Lahore, Apr 27 (PTI) Pakistan Badminton Federation has challenged the decision of the sport's world governing body to make it compulsory for the female players to wear skirts in international events, saying the new ruling is contrary to the principles of their religion. Naqi Mohsin, senior vice-president of PBF who is also the vice-president, Badminton Asia Confederation, today said that the new regulation by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) was discriminatory and would not be accepted by most Muslim countries. "At the moment, the BWF has suspended the membership of Pakistan due to existence of parallel bodies but once this matter is sorted out we will take up this issue in the Asian and World bodies. "World Badminton should not make wearing of skirts by female players mandatory. Our religious beliefs and norms do not allow our female players to wear skirts," Mohsin said. The BWF, in its bid to raise the profile of the game, has decided to make the skirt-rule compulsory for all female players from June 1. However, the decision met with criticism from Muslim countries and Mohsin said the rule would be difficult to implement. The new rule created uproar in India also with former and current players saying such an unfair move could discourage girls from taking up the sport. "The BWF states that the new regulation will not discriminate against any religion or beliefs. How can wearing skirts not clash with the religious beliefs of female Muslim players?" Mohsin questioned. The BWF, however, has defended its decision and said that female players can wear shorts 'if they wish' but it has to be underneath a skirt. Mohsin said that players have been wearing trousers for some time and that attire was approved. "Pakistan players have been playing in international tournaments in trousers. They even participated in the Asian Games in the same attire as they were exempted keeping in view their religion. The Iranians used to play in trousers with a head scarf as well and there was no issue then. "We've not been sending our female players to big tournaments like the Super Series and the Grand Prix but they did participate in the Uber Cup, where this new dress regulation will apply now," he said. He added that though some players might be willing to wear skirts, the rule should not be made compulsory since it clashes with religious beliefs of some players. "I am sure a lot of players will willingly adapt to new rules. But quite a lot will not be comfortable so it should not be made compulsory." PTI Corr SHN

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pak-female-shuttlers-will-not-wear-skirts-pbf/663609.html

Sports hijab lets Islamic women throw some punches

Letting out shrill cries, several young women in a Montreal taekwondo class kicked their way through the exercises, not a hair out of place as they were demurely covered by an Islamic sports hijab.

Elham Seyed Javad (C), seen here posing with a taekwondo team in Montreal wearing a sport hijab she created to allow the young girls of the muslim taekwondo team to take part in the competitions. Their federation have excluded them because of their traditional hijab, deemed contrary to the security rules.

Their religion prohibits these female athletes from showing off their firm physiques, or their hair. Yet Western society also frowns on the wearing of traditional Muslim headscarves in sports competitions.

So Iranian-born Canadian designer Elham Seyed Javad came up with an idea to marry the two worlds and allow young girls and women to take part in physical activities while also adhering to strict Islamic rules.

And the order books for the 27-year-old's start-up are fast filling up with calls for her head coverings arriving from around the world including Japan, Germany and Australia.

The company iQO Design is now eyeing a lucrative contract to supply the Iranian women's football team, with the aim that they will be worn during the next Olympic Games.

The idea came to the young designer in 2007 after five young Muslim women were thrown out of a Montreal taekwondo tournament because their headscarves were deemed by the sports federation to be dangerous.

Seyed Javad, who was studying industrial design at the University of Montreal at the time, was outraged but instead of protesting decided to find a solution.

At school, she designed a slip-on hooded t-shirt made of stretch fabric. The university immediately seized on its potential: its agency for commercializing its scientific discoveries and inventions filed patents for the sports hijab on her behalf in Canada and the United States.

Made of a fabric that moves perspiration away from the body, the garment slips on like a balaclava and is tied at the back. "It's much less hot, and it stays in place," says trainer Gaelle Texier. And, she adds, it doesn't mess up your hair.

"It's a compromise," said taekwondo student Asmaa Ibnouzahir. "It allows us to play the sports we enjoy, that we were doing but were forced to quit."

The university's commercial unit, Univalor, said it has even greater potential.

"Of course we looked to market it to young Muslim women in sports, but also for F1 racing, go-carting, and hospital operating rooms," said Univalor's Thomas Martinuzzo.

It is not just for athletes, he explains. An Australian policewoman, for example, recently started wearing one as part of a trial.

"My goal is to separate the religious connotation from the sports connotation," said Seyed Javad. "So when other organizations approach us, it's very positive because the religious aspect is not linked to the garment."

The so-called ResportOn is currently sold for 63 dollars (44 euros) over the Internet.

Each prototype is designed and sewn in a Montreal studio, adapted to suit the particular circumstances of each customer. But Javad is already dreaming big, and hopes one day to sell the garment in sports stores everywhere.

Since the ResportOn first went on sale in November interest has skyrocketed, attracting attention from 170 cities around the world.

The start-up behind it has also partnered with an investor and recruited a sales representative in Iran.

The company is now pitching its wares to hospitals and racing drivers, as well as people with dreadlocks who want to keep their prized hairdos in place even when out on the sports field.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/236851/sports-hijab-lets-islamic-women-throw-some-punches

The Role of Sports in Muslim Communities

By Ali Maki

It seems today that many Muslims are struggling to integrate western culture with Islamic culture. For the most part, what is acceptable by modern culture and Islam are completely different, and trying to manage this fact is an issue for many. One example is sports, which some consider as a waste of time due to the fact that time can be spent on more important activities in life. However, watching and playing sports are very important parts of society and Islamic culture – so much so that even Hadiths encourage participating in sports because of the healthy benefits. Benefits could include improved health and improved parent-child relations.

Obesity has skyrocketed within our community amongst the youth and elderly. The age of processed food and drink containing high fructose corn syrup has been immensely attributed to this rise. Yet completely preventing ourselves from consuming these foods may be a bit extreme since we have a natural need for such foods. The age of inactivity amongst youth has become an alarming trend. Youth would prefer to play video games or watch television regardless of the weather outdoors. Countering this behavior starts at a young age. Many communities have after-school programs such as soccer, basketball and football for kids as young as five years old. Children are known to be affected by events early in their lives and as a result are easy to be "programmed". Involving children in athletic programs from a young age could very well result in healthier lifestyles in the future.

Whether it is picking up a sport as a hobby or working out, staying active is an important way of managing stress. Physical activity is a known to increase the body's production of neurotransmitter endorphins, which are considered the brain's "feel-good" neurotransmitter. Physical activity is also known to counter the symptoms of mild depression and anxiety.

Social issues such a pre-marital sex, substance abuse and a host of other issues have also arisen in our communities. On an individual level, enrolling children and teens in after-school programs can be a way of keeping children away from the wrong crowds that may influence them into partaking in un-Islamic actions. On a communal level, participating in sports is an effective way of grooming children into becoming better individuals Islamically, and organizers in some Muslim communities have had success with such programs. Catering to the high interest in sports amongst youth coupled with the thirst for knowledge from short Islamic lectures has resulted in excellent mentoring sessions for young Muslims. These programs allow youth to participate in physical activity and build themselves as individuals over time, with the aid of mentors who can relate to young Muslims and who have dealt with the temptations of today's society.

A lot of talk about social issues in our communities revolves around the actions of the youth, but what seems to be neglected is the sense of disconnect between parents and children, and that impacts the actions of the youth. There is a big cultural gap between the older generation from the East and the younger generation from the West, resulting in less "bonding time" between parents and their children. It's important for future parents to take this issue into consideration when raising a child. Since a teen's friends are the ones they can mostly relate to, they end up following the actions of their friends even if it involves partaking in un-Islamic actions. Having a similar hobby such as playing a sport or watching a game can prove critical in the upbringing of a child. When a child and parent have bonding time due to a common hobby, a friendship is established which would allow the parent to also serve as a friend who the child can talk to.

Sports and activities should play an important role in our Islamic societies. The benefits of sports can lead to a healthier Islamic society on a social level and a healthier lifestyle for individuals.
Source: http://islamicinsights.com/entertainment/sports/the-role-of-sports-in-muslim-communities.html

Badminton's skirt rules cause unease

A new ruling that requires female badminton players to wear skirts on court is causing unease among players as they prepare to adopt the new compulsory dress code.

Diju Valiyaveetil, right, and Jwala Gutta of India play a World Badminton Championships match against Poland in Hyderbad in 2009. A new ruling that requires female badminton players to wear skirts on court is causing unease among players as they prepare to adopt the new compulsory dress code.

The Indian Open, which begins next Tuesday, will be the last tournament in which women can wear shorts on court before the skirt requirement comes into force on May 1.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced the change in 2009 in a bid to boost the sport's profile among viewers and sponsors.

Doubles specialist and Indian glamour girl Jwala Gutta, who has always played in skirts, said the new dress code might help to raise interest but players should not be forced to conform.

"You cannot make it compulsory for everyone to wear skirts. It depends on each individual and their comfortable level. I am not sure people will like being told what to wear and what not to," she said.

World number three Saina Nehwal, the top seed at the April 26-May 1 Indian Open, is one of the many players in India who prefers to wear shorts on court.

Gutta, who won the Commonwealth Games gold last year with her partner Ashwini Ponnapa, endorsed efforts to make the sport more glamorous.

She said that interest in tennis was greater partly because of the attraction of female stars such as Maria Sharapova or the Williams sisters, whose on-court outfits are often as remarked about as their game.

India's top female tennis player Sania Mirza came under fire from Muslim clerics four years back for wearing short skirts on court.

"Anything that helps makes the sport attractive should be welcomed," said the 27-year-old Gutta, whose eye-catching looks and daring dress sense on and off court have won her a loyal following at home.

"But instead of enforcing rules on players, the federation should ask sponsors to come up with innovative dresses.

"You can add a lot of colour, experiment with styling and stuff like that. That way it will ensure players' comfort and take care of the glamour aspect as well."

Another Indian player, who asked not to be named, said she was uncomfortable with the new ruling.

"I wear skirts or dresses only on special occasions, but never in tournaments," she said. "Skirts hamper my movement when I play."

Despite rapid modernisation, India remains a generally conservative country where public displays of sexuality are taboo and women are expected to dress modestly.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/232468/badminton-new-skirt-rules-cause-unease

Badminton star Jwala Gutta smashes compulsory skirt rule

A new ruling that requires female badminton players to wear skirts on court is causing unease among players as they prepare to adopt the new compulsory dress code.

The Indian Open Super Series, which begins next Tuesday, will be the last tournament in which women can wear shorts on court before the skirt requirement comes into force on May 1.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced the change in 2009 in a bid to boost the sport's profile among viewers and sponsors.

Doubles specialist and glamour girl Jwala Gutta, who has always played in skirts, said the new dress code might help to raise interest but players should not be forced to conform.

Doubles player Jwala Gutta feels that players should not be forced to wear skirts.

"You cannot make it compulsory for everyone to wear skirts. It depends on each individual and their comfortable level. I am not sure people will like being told what to wear and what not to," she said.

World number three Saina Nehwal, the top seed at the April 26- May 1 India Open Super Series, is one of the many players who prefers to wear shorts on court. Gutta, who won the Commonwealth Games gold last year with Ashwini Ponnapa, endorsed efforts to make the sport more glamourous.

She said that interest in tennis was greater partly because of the attraction of female stars such as Maria Sharapova or the Williams sisters, whose on- court outfits are often as remarked about as their game.

Ace tennis player Sania Mirza came under fire from muslim clerics four years back for wear- ing short skirts on court.

"Anything that helps makes the sport attractive should be welcomed," said the 27-year-old Gutta, whose eye- catching looks and daring dress sense on and off court have won her a loyal following at home. " But instead of enforcing rules on players, the federation should ask sponsors to come up with innovative dresses.

You can add a lot of colour, experiment with styling and stuff like that. That way it will ensure players' comfort and take care of the glamour aspect as well." Another Indian player, who asked not to be named, said she was uncomfortable with the new ruling. " I wear skirts or dresses only on special occasions, but never in tournaments," she said.

"Skirts hamper my movement when I play."

ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

India's young brigade, including Sai Praneeth and Saurabh Verma, will look to create a few upsets when they take on their higher- ranked opponents in the Asian Badminton Championship starting on Tuesday in ChengDu, China.

The Indian team, besides Ajay Jayaram who pulled out at the last moment due to injury, will be led by Praneeth and Saurabh in the men's singles and the duo would hope to make their presence felt in the prestigious international tournament.

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/shuttler-jwala-gutta-smashes-skirt-rule/1/135649.html

Turkey wins Several Medals in European Weightlifting Championship

Nurcan Taylan

Turkish weightlifter Nurcan Taylan has won three gold medals in the 24th European Weightlifting Championship in Kazan, Russia. Turkish weightlifters won eight medals on the first day of the European Weightlifting Championship. 

Taylan won the medals in the women's 48 kg category after lifting 90 kg in snatch, 105 kg in clean and jerk and 195 kg in aggregate. 

Nurdan Karagoz (Source:Getty Images)

Another Turkish weightlifter Nurdan Karagoz finished third in snatch and won the bronze medal with 80 kg. Karagoz lifted 100 kg in clean and jerk and won the silver medal. She was also the winner of another silver medal with 180 kg in aggregate. 

Aylin Dasdelen (Source: Getty Images)

Aylin Dasdelen of Turkey competes during the women's 53 kilogram weightlifting finals of 24th Women European Senior Weightlifting Championships in Kazan on April 12, 2011. Dasdelen won the event.
Source: Anatolia News Agency

A Middle East Female Sports Revolution?

Al-Jazeera has called the current uprisings in the Middle East a feminist revolution. The news channel also argues that women’s participation has made the protests more peaceful than they might have been otherwise. Could the happenings in the Middle East also spill over into sport?

By Andreas Selliaas

Few female role models

Female role models in sports are few in this part of the world. In the biggest championships few women represent and/or do well in sports at the highest level. Barely a handful of winners are born in this part of the world. Moroccan Nawal El Moutawakel won Olympic gold in the 400m hurdles at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984. She was the first African-born Muslim who managed such a feat.

In 1995, Ghada Shouaa from Syria won the World Championship gold in heptathlon, a feat she repeated at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. These two are among the few great female athletes from the Middle East, born in the countries they represent.

This does not mean that Middle Eastern women do not participate. In the Asian Games in China last year, there were large numbers of women competing. Iran, for example, had 92 female participants, Qatar 56 and Jordan 32. However, we can still talk of a glass ceiling for female athletes in this part of the world.

Saudi Arabia bottom of the list

Worst is Saudi Arabia. They did not send a single female athlete to the Summer Asian Games in China last year. Nor have they ever sent female athletes to the Olympics. Second worst in the 2010 Asia Games was Oman participating with only one woman, the tennis player; Fatma Al Nabhani.

It is ironic that Saudi Arabia in 2010, obtained board membership in the UN's newly formed women's agency UN Women – at the expense of Iran. They were certainly not awarded the post because of good work on women in sports. It remains to be seen whether the UN body can influence Saudi Arabia in the right direction, or whether Saudi Arabia will affect the agency in its hostility towards women in sports?

Will horses break the glass ceiling?

But there are rays of hope for women in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. At the moment they are to be found within equestrian sports. Ahead of the Olympics in Beijing, Saudi Arabia had their first female representative in an Olympic delegation when Arwa Mutabagani worked as coach for the Saudi Arabian equestrians.

Equally encouraging is the fact that Dalma Rushdi H Malhas won bronze in equestrian at the Youth Olympics in Singapore last year. It seems that this sport has a great stake among women in the Middle East. Most visible through Princess Haya of Jordan who is the President of the International Federation for Equestrian sports (FEI). Last year she was re-elected as president for another four years.

Iran and FIFA

On the gender issue we also have to bear the policies of the international sports organisations in mind. The conflict between Iran and FIFA prior to the Youth Olympics last year indicates why. The conflict began when FIFA refused Iranian girls to wear hijab during matches. Due to this prohibition the Iranian Football Federation appealed to five international federations, including the IOC, to get the ban lifted.

The argument was that Muslim women must always wear headscarves, even on the football pitch. FIFA's reasoning for denying the hijab was that FIFA does not allow any religious headgear (Rule 4). In this case, it could seem that the frontlines between the Muslim world and FIFA were firmly locked. This is - at best - only half true. This gives us room for hope.

Both parties are wrong

Firstly, it is not so that all female Muslim sports teams wear headgear. It is rather the exception. Different countries and different groups of Muslims interpret the use of hijab differently. Secondly, there are many international sport federations that allow the hijab and several international matches are played with players wearing hijab. In other words, there are no absolutes in this case.

The first case about the hijab in football was in 2007, when 11-year-old Asmahan Mansour received a ban in Canada because she was wearing hijab while playing. The reason was security. They did not want her to suffocate if someone pulled her headscarf. This case has in many ways set a precedent for FIFA.

On the other hand, matches have been played with women wearing hijab. In last year's South Asian Games the Pakistani team played with very fashionable headgear, and in the match between Jordan and Palestine in November 2008, the Jordanian team played with headgear. This is just two of several examples and both had FIFA's approval. Why was it so hard to play with headscarves in Singapore?

Sport is too important?

The Iranian struggle for the use of jihab in football should be seen as part of the Iranian struggle for international recognition, both in politics and sport. But so far it does not look like Iran has succeeded. The most striking is not that they face opposition in the international sports world, but rather that they do not get strong support from other Muslim countries. This can be interpreted in two ways. Either that sport is too important to let the hijab issue disturb the international sports order, or that sport is so unimportant that it is of no relevance at all.

Saudi Gold in London?

Many fights remain on the matter of women’s rights in sports in the Middle East and it will be interesting to see if the political revolution in the North African countries spills over into other countries in the Middle East. What we can hope for is that a Saudi Arabian woman wins Olympic gold in London 2012. That would give both the London Olympics and the fight for gender equality in the Middle East a boost!

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This article first appeared on Andreas Selliaas' blog 'Sportens Uutholdelige Letthet' on 8 March 2011. Follow Andreas' blog (in Norwegian) on sportensuutholdeligeletthet.blogspot.com
Source: http://www.playthegame.org/news/detailed/a-middle-east-female-sports-revolution-5127.html

Women’s basketball league dunks into action!

By Ayesha Abdeen

The first week of the new Muslim Women Sport Foundation (MWSF) Exclusively Women’s Basketball League (EWBL) tipped off on March 5 in Wembley.

The league, spread over five months, has six teams competing from across London.

The first of its kind to be held in the UK, the EWBL provides a platform for women, particularly from Muslim and other ethnic minority communities, to gain competitive experience as players, coaches, officials and spectators in an environment sensitive to their religious and cultural needs.

Organised by the MWSF, teams competing comprise the MWSF Ravens, MWSF Heat, Elite Youth, Ealing Phoenicians, Camden Panthers and London Lionesses.

The first fixtures saw Ravens beating Heat 44-8, Elite Youth defeating London Lionesses in a very closely contented match 26-24 and Camden Panthers overcoming Ealing Phoenicians 41-26.

Sena Jawad, member of the MWSF Ravens, commented, “Training and competing in a completely female environment is very important to us. This league is our opportunity to put our skills to the test and truly feel like ball players!”

For many ladies, including members of the London Lionesses - a deaf women’s basketball team and MWSF Heat - the latest addition to the MWSF set up, the EWBL is their first encounter of league competition. When asked about their experience there was a resounding thumbs up with members of Heat commenting they can’t wait to get back into training in preparation of their next fixture!

The MWSF is a registered charity providing exclusively female sporting opportunities in the UK since 2001.

On April 17, the MWSF will be hosting Summer Fusion, the largest female only basketball tournament in the UK.

For further information on how to get involved in this and other events visit www.mwsf.org.uk or call 020 8427 0873 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 020 8427 0873 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Source: http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=5185

MWSF Cobras continue winning streak

By Ayesha Abdeen

Reigning women’s Futsal Festival champions the MWSF Cobras beat FC Eighties 11-10 in a friendly on March 12 at Preston Manor High School, Wembley.

The closely contended match saw the Cobras score the winning goal in the final minute of the game. Both team and vice captains, Sana and Anisa Tirmizi scored together with Meera Sivasundram and Ayesha Abdeen scoring a hatrick each. Raneem Zabadne and Rosemin Abdeen also added to the tally with the latter claiming goal of the match. Rimla Akhtar was named player of the match.

The Cobras are managed by the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation (MWSF) and train weekly in a female only environment.

For further information visit www.mwsf.org.uk

UAE women win Excellence Shield

By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter from Gulf News

• A UAE player (in green) attempts to spike the ball as a Bahraini player tries to block it during the volleyball final at the GCC Women’s Games in Abu Dhabi. Image Credit: Abdel-Krim Kallouche/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The UAE won the Excellence Shield of the Second GCC Women's Games after winning the most medals in the 7 sports which were contested in the tournament with 12 gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze medals.

Bahrain came second with 8 gold, 8 silver and as many bronze followed by Qatar with 5 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze, then Kuwait with 4 gold, 6 silver and 8 bronze while Oman finished fifth with one gold, one silver and 4 bronze.

The UAE teams dedicated the Excellence Shield to Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the Supreme Chairperson of the UAE General Women's Union and the Patron of the Games, for her continuous support to the women in all fields of life in general and in the sports field in particular in a gesture of gratitude and thanks.

Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the Chairperson of the local Organising Committee, expressed her pleasure with the achievement of the UAE teams in the Games and said, "This victory would not has been achieved if it wasn't for the continuous and unlimited support of Shaikha Fatima to the women not only in the UAE but in the GCC states as well as we have seen the improvement in the teams recently and since the first Games two years ago.

"We, organisers, officials and players, dedicate this victory to Shaikha Fatima in recognition of her support and encouragement and we promise that we will achieve more brilliant results in the future in all levels, regional, continental and international," she said.

The last day of the Games witnessed the end of the athletics competitions which were dominated by Bahrain with Mariam Al Ansari winning the long jump event registering 5.16 metres followed by Riam Allen Thomas from Qatar in second place with 5.16 metres and Nour Ebrahim from Bahrain with 5.11 metres.

Bahrain added the gold of the Discus with Basma Mohammad throw of 32.78 metres leaving the silver medal to Shahd Salah, from Kuwait, with 24.53 and the bronze to Buthaina Nabil from Qatar with 24.49.

Oman won their only gold medal in the Games when Shannona Al Hibsi finished first in the 200 metres race in 26.4 seconds followed by Noura Al Malki of Qatar, in second place in 26.6 seconds and Fatima Amr from Bahrain who came third in 27.7 seconds.

UAE's Alya Saeed won her second gold medal in athletics as she finished first in the 800 metres race in 2.15 minutes followed by Nada Nabil from Qatar in 2.34 and Shahd Jasem from the UAE in 2.43.

The competitions came to an end with the 4x400 metre relay which was won by Qatar in 52.3 seconds with Bahrain in second with 52.5 as the UAE won the bronze in 55.9 seconds.

Source: http://gulfnews.com/sport/other-sports/uae-women-win-excellence-shield-1.775395

UAE get off to impressive start in Games volleyball

• Defending champions UAE in action against Oman in GCC Women’s Games volleyball at the Al Jazeera Indoor Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The hosts cruised to victory. Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter

Abu Dhabi: The UAE team look set to defend the volleyball title they won in the first GCC Women's Games in Kuwait two years ago as they trounced Oman 2-0 at the Al Jazira Indoor Stadium on Wednesday.

The UAE dominated the match, winning 25-10, 25-9, with good striking, solid defending and accurate service.

The team was represented by Fatima Hassan, the captain, Alya Nasir, Abrar Ali, Nadia Ali, Samiha Hassan, Fatima Mohammad, Rawiya Mubarak, Muna Abbass, Sana'a Aref, Kolaithim Rahma and Muna Haider.

In the first match of the opening day, Kuwait beat Bahrain 2-1 (22-25, 28-26, 25-18) in an encounter that lasted more than 90 minutes.

In the final day of competition, Oman will face Kuwait while Bahrain will play against the UAE.

Meanwhile, Haya Sameer added another gold medal to the UAE haul after winning the 53kg taekwondo competition in the GCC Women's Games held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union and patron of the Games.

Haya was followed by Kothom Mubarak from Qatar who won the silver, while Zuwaina Abdullah from Oman and Noura Adil from Bahrain shared the bronze.

• Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, captain of the UAE taekwondo team, won the gold in the Open Category of the over 73-kg in the GCC Women's Games in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Shaikha Maitha was in a class of her own against Oman's Niven Khalfan, winning 12-4 in her first bout, before defeating Kuwaiti champion Hamayel Gazi Al Yagoot 6-1. Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News

Support

"I dedicate this victory and the gold medal to Shaikha Fatima and to Shaikha Maytha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for their unlimited and continuous support.

"I was confident of winning the gold medal because we are well prepared for the competition in addition to the fact that the presence and support of Shaikha Maytha was a motive to all of the UAE players to excel and do their best in the competitions.

"I believe such competitions will encourage more women to practice the game and will lead to its spread and improvement in the region."

Dina Eid Mahbout from Bahrain won the gold medal in the 46kg category, with the UAE's Al Ghaliya Askar winning the silver and Aisha Salem from Qatar taking the bronze.

Dina Al Mansouri from Qatar won the 62kg category leaving the silver to Anood Al Malkawy from Kuwait and the bronze went to Muneera Al Ka'abi from the UAE.

Sameer Juma, the coach of the UAE team, said: "I am happy with this performance because it is the first participation for our players in the taekwondo competitions."

Source: http://gulfnews.com/sport/athletics/uae-get-off-to-impressive-start-in-games-volleyball-1.774506