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UAE impress despite Moroccan masterclass at Cairo's Pan Arab Golf Championship
Young Emirati golfers take silver as Morocco dominates Pan Arab leaderboard with exceptional depth and consistency
- PUBLISHED: Mon 12 May 2025, 7:45 PM
- By:
- KT Golf
The UAE’s rising golf stars put on a determined display at the 2025 Pan Arab Ladies and Junior Golf Championship in Egypt, earning silver medals in two key team divisions, but ultimately found themselves in the shadow of a powerhouse Moroccan squad that swept to victory across nine of the 11 categories on offer.
Held at the scenic Madinaty Golf Club and Katameya Dunes Golf Club in Cairo, the championship brought together over 110 elite players from 15 Arab nations for a four-day test of skill, nerve, and national pride. While the UAE teams showed real promise and poise throughout, it was Morocco that asserted their dominance with a near-total sweep of the leaderboard—cementing their status as the current benchmark in Arab golf development.
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The UAE’s top finishes came in the Lady's team division and the Boy's Under-18 team event, both times settling for second behind Morocco. In the Ladies category, the UAE squad showcased their talent with two individual podium finishes. Hannah Cheryl Alan led the charge with an impressive second place at +7 (220), followed closely by Sara Ali Abubaker, who secured third with +9 (222)—a testament to the depth of the UAE’s women’s golf program.
Meanwhile, in the Boys U18 division, the UAE team also claimed silver, thanks in part to a standout performance by Rashed Ali Alnakby, who clinched third in the individual standings with a solid +11 (224). His composed play throughout the championship highlighted his growing maturity and ability to compete on the regional stage.
Speaking after the event, a representative from the Emirates Golf Federation praised the UAE teams: “Our players continue to show significant progress. Competing closely with Morocco, a country that has invested deeply in the sport, is a sign that we’re heading in the right direction. These results are motivation to push even harder.”
Indeed, Team Morocco’s consistency was unmissable. From dominating all team divisions except one to clinching six of the seven individual gold medals, their depth and preparation stood out. Led by stars like Rim Imni, who won the Ladies individual title with a spectacular 206 (-7), and Fatima Zahara, who triumphed in the Girls U13 category, Morocco showed what years of grassroots investment and player development can deliver.
Yet, the UAE’s continued presence on the podium signals a growing competitive edge. With promising results in both junior and women’s categories, the Emirati contingent demonstrated that they are not just contenders—but potential future champions.
This year’s championship also marked a new chapter with the launch of the Arab Ranking System, aimed at providing a structured development path for players across the region. Organised by the Arab Golf Federation and hosted by the Egyptian Golf Federation, the event reinforced the region’s shared commitment to elevating standards and nurturing talent.
As the UAE builds on its recent performances and continues to invest in youth development, the gap with Morocco may begin to close. For now, however, the kingdom remains the gold standard—but the Emirates are closing fast.
Travelling with the UAE team were EGF Vice President Abdualla Alhashmi, Secretary General Kahlid Mubarak Al Shamsi, and UAE National Team Head Coach Faycal Serghini.
Team Results:
Ladies
1st – Morocco
2nd – UAE
3rd – Tunisia
Boys U18
1st – Morocco
2nd – UAE
3rd – Tunisia
Boys U16
1st – Morocco
2nd – Egypt
3rd – Jordan
Boys U13
1st – Morocco
2nd – Egypt
3rd – Tunisia
Girls U16
1st – Morocco
2nd – Tunisia
3rd – Jordan
Individual Results
Ladies
1st – Rim Imni (Morocco) – 206 (-7)
2nd – Hannah Cheryl Alan (UAE) – 220 (+7)
3rd – Sara Ali Abubaker (UAE) – 222 (+9)
Boys U18 Individual:
1st – Salem Al Abkal (Kuwait) – 220 (+7)
2nd – Amine El Omari (Morocco) – 220 (+7)
3rd – Rashed Ali Alnakby (UAE) – 224 (+11)
Other Individual Winners:
Boys U16: Daniil Sokolov (Qatar) – 204 (-9)
Boys U13: Ilyes Cauden (Morocco) – 146 (+5)
Girls U16: Noha Ghadi (Morocco) – 221 (+8)
Girls U13: Fatima Zahara (Morocco) – 147 (+5)
