Local sports heroes return to action in the popular multi-sport meet after a three-year break
One of Abu Dhabi’s popular family sporting events returns this Ramadan with AED 184,000 in prize money up for grabs across different sports disciplines.
Zayed Sports Tournament is back after a three-year hiatus, shining a spotlight on homegrown talents who will compete for two weeks at the state-of-the-art sports facilities of Etizan Fitness at Erth Abu Dhabi.
The multi-sport event opens on Saturday, 25 March, and will run until 8 April, offering competitions for men, women and children.
The first hosting of the iconic community event since 2019, this year’s edition will feature gripping competitions in football, boxing, padel tennis, shooting and swimming.
Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nhayan, the sportsfest was founded 26 years ago as a tribute to the Founding Father of the UAE, honouring Sheikh Zayed’s passion for sport, and the kind, generous and community-orientated spirit of Ramadan.
The sportsfest has since become a favourite battle ground of local sports heroes with more than 40,000 athletes and 590 teams having competed in the annual event over the years. It has also welcomed over 68,000 spectators and awarded AED 28 million in prize money since it was established in 1997.
The cash-rich event will award AED 24,000 to the top men’s and women’s football teams, AED 10,000 to the shooting champion, AED 5,000 to the padel champion, AED 5,000 to the winner in men’s boxing, and AED 2,500 to the champion in youth boxing.
Registration fees are AED 50 per person for swimming, AED 250 per person for padel, AED 500 per person for shooting, AED 600 per team for junior football, and AED 1,000 per team for men’s and women’s football. Registration for boxing is done through the UAE Boxing Federation.
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The junior football matches will be held on 25 March, women’s football on 27-29 March, padel tennis on 27-31 March, boxing on 31 March to 1 April , swimming on 1 April , shooting on 1, 4 and 8 April, and the men’s football on 2-8 April.
“Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansor Bin Zayed Al Nhayan and following in the footsteps of our founding father Sheikh Zayed, we are proud to present this year’s 26th Zayed Sports Tournament and revive a cherished event following a three-year break,” said Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Mohammed H. Al Kaabi, Chairman of Erth Abu Dhabi.
“Up-and-coming athletes and fitness enthusiasts are showing great passion and ambition this year, and we wish every participant the very best of luck.”
Shaikha Al Kaabi, CEO of Erth Abu Dhabi, said Abu Dhabi’s sports enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the return of the Sheikh Zayed Tournament, which has been a prominent event on the city’s sports calendar.
“After a three-year break, Erth Abu Dhabi is incredibly excited to bring back the Sheikh Zayed Tournament, and carry on its proud legacy for the 26th year. Erth Abu Dhabi, formerly known as the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel, has always hosted the Sheikh Zayed Tournament ever since its inception in 1997, and it forms an integral part of our history and heritage,” said Al Kaabi.
“A number of talented athletes and teams have already signed up to take part, and every match is sure to be filled with unmissable thrills and captivating displays of sporting prowess. There is still plenty of time to register, and we would like to encourage everyone who isn’t competing to come along and support our community of participants post-Iftar, during this year’s Holy Month of Ramadan.”
Abu Dhabi has been playing host to various sports events that cater to both residents and foreign athletes as part of the government’s sports development programme.
A major step in this direction is Abu Dhabi’s successful bid to host the Masters Games Series – Abu Dhabi 2026 for Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East, which will see Emiratis and expatriates competing against foreign athletes from over 100 countries.
Date
25 March to 8 April
Location
Etizan Fitness, Erth Abu Dhabi
For more information and to register, visit etizan.ae/en/zayed-sport-tournament
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Image source Erth Abu Dhabi
