(IPIC) is official gold sponsor of 3rd Arab Women Sports Tournament

The Supreme Organizing Committee of the 3rd Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST) - Sharjah 2016 has signed a sponsorship contract with the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) stating that the Abu Dhabi-based petroleum company will be the gold sponsor of the tournament.

The contract was signed by HE Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui, Managing Director and Board member of IPIC, and Nada Al Naqbi, Head of the Executive Committee, Manager of the tournament. And Director of the Sharjah Ladies Club's (SLC) Women Sports Department.

Commenting on the sponsorship, HE Al Mazrouei said: “IPIC is proud of our partnership with the Arab Women Sports Tournament, especially after winning the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Award for Women Athletes Sponsorship and Marketing category. Our sponsorship aims to continuously support and promote the different local sports associations, in order to further enhance the UAE’s prominent sports status both regionally and internationally.”

“IPIC endorses a number of federations and sports clubs locally and internationally, such as the Real Madrid FC, the Manchester City FC, the Dubai World Cup, the Al Jazira Sports Club and the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation. The gold sponsorship agreement aims to increase awareness about the importance of sports amongst Arab women and promote an active lifestyle within our society, as well as to provide Arab women with a venue to achieve greatness.”

Nada Al Naqbi said: “Having the backing of such a high-profile national company in the local and international oil and gas industry provides a substantial moral boost to the tournament. This sponsorship will give participants the vigor needed to improve their performance and compete in international sporting events in the upcoming years.”

Al Naqbi extended her profound thanks to IPIC, adding that this sponsorship will greatly increase media and public interest in the event, and further activate the women's sporting movement in the UAE and the Arab world.

The Emirate of Sharjah aims through organizing the Arab Women Sports Tournament once every two years under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and Chairperson of SLC, to develop Arab women's sports by exchanging expertise and benefiting from the experience of female contestants. The tournament also aims to enhance the brotherly ties binding Arab countries.

The tournament was initially launched after the SLC organized the Gulf States Competitions, following Shaikha Jawaher’s decision to establish the Women Sports Department in 2008.

This year, female contestants will participate in eight games, namely basketball and volleyball in collective games, and table tennis, fencing, archery, shooting and athletics in individual contests. This edition will also see the exciting new addition of show jumping.