Drive to rope women into sports

Dubai - On the achievement angle, Mozza mentioned about of the numerous individuals who after taking part at a mass participation event, like the Shaikha Hind Tournament, have gone on to achieve higher pedestals in sports

Just keeping fit alone won't do for women, and empowering them through socially interactive methods goes a long way in increasing the happiness levels, according to a top sports official here.
"We firmly believe that unless women too can get on to the platform of trying to make the environment around her more rounded to attain a level of happiness, there is not much achieved in the broader perspective. This is where sports can play an important role, especially the organised part where participation builds up team spirit and gets more confidence pumped into a person," said Mozza Al Marri, head of the Women's Sports Committee and board member of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC).
"Just keeping fit alone won't do. Regular gym workouts helps but it is in taking part in events organised under proper guidelines and tournament rules that gets one into the thinking process of how to share responsibility and achieve targets," Mozza, who was attending a workshop for the fourth Shaikha Hind Women's Sports Tournament in Dubai on Tuesday, told Khaleej Times.
"Last year we had over 160 teams and 400 players taking part in eight disciplines, this year we will be looking at well over 600 participants in nine sports. Also, we have a hike of nearly 60 per cent in the prize money outlay to the tune of Dh600,000. Just look at the numbers. It is not only encouraging but a very satisfying element towards our leaders' vision of providing opportunity for our women who need something more than work at home and at the office to launch her to better heights," Mozza continued.
On the achievement angle, Mozza mentioned about of the numerous individuals who after taking part at a mass participation event, like the Shaikha Hind Tournament, have gone on to achieve higher pedestals in sports.
"From the second edition we have seen so many young girls at the school and college levels, and women in the middle ages, pick up the skills and move on to club standard in no time," she said.
"We go into the fourth chapter of the Shaikha event just after a hectic week of holding a schools sports fest where the standards of the Emirati girls were of a high grade," she continued, "This talent will eventually get exposed to the bigger platforms before streamlining them into our national workforce and higher educational establishments."
"You see stress levels have to be reduced on a war footing, otherwise, achieving everything else does not give us a drop of happiness. We have to energise our mindset and actions afterwards, through community and competition-based events," Mozza said.
Also attending the workshop along with the managers of the teams were Fawzia Farridoun, manager, cultural activities, DSC; Mona Khalil; Amina El Khalidy, DSC; and other senior officials.
The nine-discipline fourth chapter of the Shaikha Hind games will take place from October 19-31 at Dubai World Trade Centre; Al Wasl Club or Hamdan Sports Complex; the Mamzar-based Dubai Bowling Centre and Dubai Chess and Cultural Club; NAS cycling track; and the running track at Al Khawaneej. The event is open to all government and semi-governmental entities.
moni@khaleejtimes.com