Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy celebrates 16 years of advancing women in sport
Since its establishment in 2010, the academy has created a comprehensive ecosystem for female athletes, coaches, referees and administrators, fostering talent discovery, capability development and competitive excellence across more than 15 sports.
The Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy stands as a transformative institution, having devoted 16 years to nurturing women’s participation and achievement across the sporting landscape of Abu Dhabi and the broader Arab region. Guided by the visionary leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, the academy has established an integrated ecosystem that supports female athletes and sports professionals throughout every stage of their development and career progression.
Discovering and Nurturing Emerging Talent
The academy’s talent discovery initiatives commence from an early age, offering programmes and camps designed to identify and cultivate promising capabilities. The Discover Talent Camp, presented in both summer and winter editions, and the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy Talent Discovery Festival provide comprehensive introductions to basketball, volleyball, football, martial arts and other disciplines. These initiatives interweave educational and awareness activities that develop both physical prowess and social competency, enabling participants to explore their sporting potential and interests in an enriching environment.
Community Engagement and Active Participation
Expanding participation forms a cornerstone of the academy’s mission, realised through an extensive calendar of community programmes and events. The Health and Happiness Track and the initiative Through Our Steps We Make a Difference: Walking Together to Fight Cancer combine sports training with broader wellness objectives. Offerings encompass training in basketball, volleyball, football and martial arts alongside fitness and running challenges, yoga sessions, and comprehensive health and nutrition awareness activities. The academy further encourages active lifestyles by organising Ramadan tournaments and providing access to selected facilities for open training sessions, fostering genuine community engagement.
Educational Development and Professional Advancement
Recognising that excellence demands knowledge alongside physical capability, the academy delivers specialised lectures, seminars and workshops addressing health, sports performance, officiating and sports management. Programmes including Olympic Excellence: Holistic Development of Sporting and Leadership Skills; Sleep Quality and Sport; and the Sports Injury Prevention and Modern Recovery Methods workshop equip female athletes, coaches, referees and administrators with the expertise to enhance their performance and establish careers within the sporting sector. Specialist officiating programmes in basketball, volleyball and badminton further extend these opportunities.
Premier Facilities and Infrastructure
These comprehensive programmes are supported by the academy’s headquarters, spanning approximately 13,870 square metres and encompassing indoor and outdoor facilities for more than 10 sports. The facility features halls dedicated to squash and martial arts, a multipurpose hall for volleyball, basketball and handball, a football pitch, running track, two padel courts and a bowling facility, alongside a sports and culture library and seminar hall. This carefully curated infrastructure provides the physical foundation necessary for excellence.
Regional and International Competition
The academy’s competition calendar extends across more than 15 sports, offering athletes and teams platforms to gain experience and enhance competitive readiness. The FBMA International Show Jumping Cup reached its 13th edition in 2026, presenting AED1 million in aggregate prize money across national and international divisions. The 8th Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy International Blitz Chess Tournament for Ladies attracted more than 160 players representing various nationalities and age groups. In team sports, the 3rd Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy Basketball Cup for Ladies brought together seven teams from six Arab countries, whilst the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy Volleyball Cup for Ladies featured six teams from five countries, connecting women’s sport in the UAE with regional and international sporting communities.
Recognition of Excellence
The Fatima bint Mubarak Women Sports Award, presented in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Sports Council, honours outstanding accomplishments and exemplary role models across the Arab region. The 10th edition in 2026 offers AED2.2 million across eight individual and team categories, together with a special Arab Sports Personality of the Year Award, amplifying success stories and promoting excellence across the sector.
Fatima Al Ameri, Manager of the Technical Affairs and Training Department at the academy, reflected upon this remarkable journey: “The academy’s journey is founded on the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to advance women’s sport in the UAE. We play an important role in establishing sports teams, discovering emerging talent, providing training and development, and enhancing skills, as well as organising women’s sports competitions and participating in local and regional tournaments. The academy’s true impact lies in the diversity of women’s roles, from athletes, coaches, and referees to sports leaders. We remain committed to discovering and developing talent and achieving success for generations to come.”
As the academy enters its 17th year, it continues expanding its transformative impact, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a distinguished hub for the advancement of women’s sport.
Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office