Al Ain Club has officially announced the signing of Serbian player Irfan Hamzagić, becoming the fifth foreign professional to join the first volleyball team. This move comes as part of the club’s efforts to enhance the team’s offensive power during the current 2026 season.
The signing of Irfan, who plays in the Opposite (Opposite Hitter) position, follows the technical staff’s recommendation to address gaps in the attack. The Serbian player stands at an impressive height of 202 cm and possesses extensive international experience, having had successful professional stints in various European and Gulf leagues.

This addition completes the recent lineup of reinforcements, which includes Omani setter Adam Al-Jalbubi, Brazilian Caio, Latvian Smith, and Brazilian Renan, all under the leadership of Omani coach Jamal Al-Maamari. The goal is to reach peak readiness ahead of the decisive matches in the President’s Cup Volleyball Championship.

For his part, Irfan expressed great enthusiasm for representing “The Boss,” emphasizing that he will do his utmost to contribute to winning championships and bringing joy to Al Ain’s large fan base.

Al Ain Club has officially announced the signing of Brazilian player Caio to join its first volleyball team. This move is part of the club’s strategic plan to strengthen the squad with elite talent, ensuring a competitive edge for all titles.

This acquisition follows shortly after the signing of Omani setter Adam Al-Jalbubi, highlighting the management’s commitment—under the leadership of Omani coach Jamal Al-Maamari—to building a robust and integrated team. Caio brings extensive field experience and high-level technical skills in attacking positions, and he is expected to be a significant addition to the “Boss’s” offensive powerhouse.
For his part, Caio expressed his delight at joining Al Ain, emphasizing his goal to deliver top performances alongside his teammates to meet the expectations of the Al Ain fans, especially as the team prepares for upcoming challenges, most notably the President’s Cup.

The training session, led by the team’s technical staff, placed strong emphasis on physical and technical aspects, as “Al Banafsa” aims to deliver a high-level performance that will keep it in contention for the opening title of the season. The session included a series of tactical drills, with particular focus on reception and serving skills, in addition to correcting some mistakes to raise concentration levels ahead of the trip to Abu Dhabi.

Al Ain’s volleyball players showed high spirits and strong determination during training, amid high expectations from the fans that “Al Zaeem” will win the match, qualify for the second stage of the competition, go on to claim the title, and bring joy to its supporters.

The team is scheduled to conclude its preparations with one final training session before traveling to Abu Dhabi, where the final touches will be put on the lineup for the anticipated showdown.

Al Ain Club has officially announced the signing of Omani national team volleyball player Adam Al Jalboobi, in a move aimed at reinforcing the first volleyball team for the remainder of the 2025–2026 sports season.

The signing of Al Jalboobi, who joins from Oman’s Al Seeb Club, comes as part of the club’s strategy to enhance the team’s technical capabilities by attracting distinguished players capable of supporting “Al Zaeem’s” ambitions in the upcoming stage, particularly in the setter position, which is considered one of the most important technical roles in the team’s system of play.

This deal marks the first signing under the leadership of Omani head coach Jamal Al Maamari, who took charge of the team earlier this month, in a step that reflects the club’s direction towards strengthening the squad with players who possess experience and quality at the Gulf competition level.

Al Ain is counting on Al Jalboobi’s technical abilities and on-court experience to provide a valuable addition to the team, supporting its campaign in the remainder of the season and enhancing its chances of achieving its competitive objectives.

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium brings together the working teams and reviews the outcome of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026”

The higher organizing committee of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026” concluded the events of the second version of the social and sports event at the City of Al Ain, with a Ramadan Iftar at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, which brought together the working teams in appreciation for their efforts in facilitating one of the largest social and sports initiatives in the Emirate.

The second version witnessed a qualitative leap on the level of numbers and participation, where the number of tournaments has doubled to exceed 100% in comparison with the first version, while the number of competitions has increased to exceed 120%, in an apparent index over the great expansion in the range of events.

The tournament has also recorded a notable growth in the base of participants, where the number of players has increased to exceed 110% from 53 nationalities, within a large increase in the number of teams which exceeded 150%.

This growth extended to include the organizing infrastructure, where the number of used venues has increased to exceed 100%, while the number of organizing entities has increased to exceed 200%, as well as the number of volunteers which increased to exceed 120%, that reflects the expansion of the social and volunteering work that accompanied the event.

The tournament has also witnessed a notable growth in the number of honored people with a ratio that in close to 60%, in an emphasis over attention to honoring the participants and supporting the spirit of positive competition.

During the meeting, His Excellency Rashed Musabbah Al Manei, who is the Director General of Al Ain City Municipality, praised the accomplished successes, he also emphasized that what has been achieved reflects an advanced model of institutional work and integration among different entities.

In his turn, His Excellency Salem Rashid bin Hudhairam Al Ketbi, who is the chairman of the higher organizing committee, emphasized that these results represent the outcome of team work, he also pointed out to the preparations to the launch the third version of the event, with an aim to build on this success and to expand the social participation base to a greater extent.

“Hafeet Sport Challenge” do not stop on the limit of numbers or the conclusion of events, rather, it maintains its presence as a renewable social status, which established the spirit of sharing, rapprochement, and sports culture as a way of life at the City of Al Ain, in a continuous path that reflects the futuristic vision that exceeds the event into a permanent impact within the society.

Al Ain Volleyball” Raises the Challenge Banner, Targeting a Seventh President’s Cup Title

Al Ain Club has confirmed its full readiness to compete in the UAE President’s Volleyball Cup (Men), following the draw ceremony held yesterday, Wednesday, March 11, at the UAE Volleyball Association headquarters in Dubai.

The draw resulted in a high-stakes quarter-final clash between “Al Zaeem” and Shabab Al Ahli. The match is scheduled to take place on March 31 at the Al Jazira Club hall in Abu Dhabi, where Al Ain aims to demonstrate its strength and continue its journey toward the title.

Al Ain enters the tournament with high ambitions to secure its seventh title in history. The tournament holds great significance for the technical staff, led by Omani coach Jamal Al Maamari, and the club’s management, as it serves as a crucial milestone to conclude the season with a new achievement added to the club’s record.

The team is currently continuing its intensive preparations through daily training sessions, focusing on enhancing the players’ physical and technical readiness to ensure they are in peak condition before the anticipated encounter against Shabab Al Ahli.

The club’s management expressed full confidence in the technical staff and the players to overcome the challenges of the knockout stages and advance toward the final match, which is scheduled to be held on April 17 at the Al Ain Club hall in Al Ain, regardless of which teams reach the final.

Additionally, the club’s management has called upon the Al Ain fans to continue their support throughout the tournament, emphasizing that the presence of the fans will be a major driving force for the players in their pursuit of the seventh title this season.

Volleyball Team Resumes Training at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium Hall Ahead of Super Cup

The men’s volleyball team has resumed its training sessions at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium indoor hall under the supervision of Omani head coach Jamal Al-Maamari, as part of preparations for the upcoming Super Cup match against Shabab Al Ahli, scheduled to take place on March 27 in Abu Dhabi.

The training session saw the full squad in attendance, with the technical staff focusing on tactical and technical aspects alongside improving the players’ physical conditioning to ensure the team reaches optimal readiness ahead of the anticipated clash.

These preparations come as part of the team’s plan to enter the Super Cup match strongly and deliver a performance that reflects the players’ readiness and the quality of the team’s preparation.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan…

The City of Al Ain celebrates the conclusion of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026” and coronate 1225 champion

On today’s evening and under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, the events of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026” has been concluded. The Challenge witnessed the organization of diverse 43 sports tournaments, spanning the period between 2 to 19 of the holy month of Ramadan, with the participation of more than 14 thousand athletes of both genders, who represent 53 nationalities of different age categories, in an event that established its position as the largest social and sports activity in Al Ain Region.

The Challenges’ competitions took place in different parts of the City of Al Ain, where tournaments were held on 65 venues across the city, while Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium hosted the final match of both football tournaments, institutions and residential neighborhoods tournaments, so the total number of venues that hosted the competitions increased into 66 venues, in a spread that reflects the expansion of the participation base and the social momentum that accompanied the event.

The closing ceremony witnessed the attendance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, His Excellency Sultan Saif Al Neyadi, who is the UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, as well as His Excellency Dr. Matar Al Darmaki, who is the Representative of the Ruler’s Representative Court in Al Ain Region, His Excellency Dr. Saif Sultan Al Nasri, who is the Acting Undersecretary of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), His Excellency Rashed Musabbeh Al Manei, who is the Director General of Al Ain City Municipality, His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Rakkad Al Ameri, who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Cancer Society, Salem Rashid bin Hudhairam Al Ketbi, who is the Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee, Rashid Abdullah, who is the CEO of Al Ain Club investment company and the manager of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026”, in addition to a number of officials, sponsors, partners, and media personalities.

During the ceremony all champions who won the 43 titles in different individual and group competitions were crowned, in the ceremony that took place on the stage of Al Ain City Municipality, amid huge fan turnout and distinguished Ramadan vibes. The sponsors, partners and the supporting entities were honored, as well as the honoring of media institutions that contributed in broadcasting the tournament’s events and to promote its media presence.

1225 winner champions in different championships at “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026” took the stage to take commemorative pictures with the ceremony’s sponsor, in a scenery that created a ceremonial picture that embodied the spirit of sports competition and social interaction, which are the tournament’s defining characteristics all along its days of competition.

The ceremony included ceremonial segments which were brilliantly presented, in both Arabic and English, by Khalifa Al Sa’adi, who is a member at the higher organizing committee and the chairman of Hafeet Sport Challenge’s media committee, alongside the anchor Fatimah Taha. In addition to visual performances that reviewed the most prominent moment of the competitions, which took place during the current version of the Challenge, in a way that invokes the most prominent milestones that reflected the huge volume of social participation and interaction all along the days of the event.

Salem Rashid bin Hudhairam Al Ketbi, who is the Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee, appreciated the supreme patronage and the huge support from His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, he also emphasized that this support represented the fundamental pillar for the notable success that had been achieved during the second version of “Hafeet Sport Challenge”. He also praised the exerted effort by partners, in the forefront Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Al Ain Sports Club, in addition to the supporting entities, sponsors, and media outlets.

He also emphasized that the huge participation and the diversity of events that the Challenge has witnessed, reflect the valuable position of social sports it occupies in promoting social cohesion and establishing the positive values among society’s members, especially in coincidence with “the year of the family” in the United Arab Emirates, which highlights the importance of initiatives that bring together family members in healthy and sports activities that boost the quality of life and social cohesion.

He also pointed out that the successes achieved in the Challenge reflect the sought after ambition to keep developing “Hafeet Sport Challenge” and to establish its sustainability in the upcoming version, in accordance with the wise leadership’s vision in supporting social sports. At the same time, he praised the vital role of media outlets in highlighting the event and broadcasting its social message.

The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates, then it concluded with taking memorial group pictures that brought together the honored people and the supporting entities, in a scenery that embodies the spirit of social partnership on which the initiative of “Hafeet Sport Challenge” was based.

In his turn, Abdullah Rashid Abdullah, who is the manager of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026”, expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he also emphasized that the supreme patronage of His Highness represents a source of pride and appreciation to all people involved in the event, it also represents an encouragement to keep developing and establishing its presence as a leading social sports platform.

He also explained that the current version of the Challenge reflects the huge development that has been witnessed in the event, he also pointed out that the tournament organized 43 sports tournaments and 8 competitions, with the participation of 20 thousand players of both genders representing 53 different nationalities in 251 teams, while competitions had been hosted on 66 venues across the City of Al Ain, among them there are 17 venues affiliated with Al Ain City Municipality.

He added that the Challenge also witnessed a notable growth in its economy, that is represented in an increase of 100% in the value of sponsorships and the total number of awards in comparison with the past year.

The tournament’s digital platform also accomplished a notable success, where the official website recorded more than 1.7 million technical operation and more than 80 thousand daily visits, to follow up the results in less than three weeks.

He also emphasized that these indicators reflect the Challenge’s success in realizing a huge sports and social momentum, as well as establishing its position as one of the most prominent social and sports initiatives, which bring together different segments of the society in Ramadan atmospheres that promote the culture of social activity and interaction in the City of Al Ain.

About 250 volunteers from the Ainawi work team also contributed in organizing the events of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026”, by supporting the organizational and logistic aspects of the competitions, in an experience that the spirit of volunteer work and highlighting the positive impact of social sports in promoting physical activity and social cohesion.

With these aspects “Hafeet Sport Challenge” continues to establish its presence as one of the largest social and sports initiatives in the United Arab Emirates, with growing ambition to expand its range and to promote its sports and social impact in the upcoming versions.

1.7 million digital operations in less than three weeks

“Hafeet Sport Challenge” documents the success of its largest version with an inclusive booklet before the closing ceremony

Hafeet Sport Challenge maintains its momentum in its 16th day with the closing ceremony of its largest version, where, on tomorrow’s evening, the final round of the cycling race will kick off during a program that includes 43 sports tournaments, in one of the most prominent upcoming events on the conclusion of the social and sports event, which is being hosted at the City of Al Ain during the holy month of Ramadan.

The tournament’s official website recorded a great digital activity during a record period of time that did not exceed three weeks, where the total number of the technical operations related to the competitions were more than 1.7 million operations on the server (Server Requests), that included the operation of registering players, entering results, updating schedules and data related to the tournaments.

The frequency of visits to follow up with the results, schedules and daily updates exceeded 80 thousand visits, which reflects the volume of fans interaction with the tournament’s competitions.

A documentary booklet for the tournament

In the framework of documenting the tournament’s current version, the higher organizing committee prepared an inclusive documentary booklet under the supervision of the media committee, which reviews the tournament’s organization, technical and media aspects, in addition to highlighting the most prominent milestones and successes which have been achieved by the current version, and being supported by photos and documentary materials that reflect the event’s volume and the expansion of its participation base.

Powerful final matches in the badminton and tennis table tournaments

The 16th day of the tournaments witnessed the holding of a number of thrilling final matches in the tournaments of women table tennis and women badminton.

As for the table tennis, the international Jordanian player, Baraa Widian, was crowned with the title after claiming victory in the final match over Jaimie Yanga with the score of 3-1, while Yara Al Daimsi claimed the third place after her victory over Jeanette Rodrigueze with the same result.

As for the women badminton tournament, Niurani Ratu Azhara was successful in claiming the first place after delivering a distinguished victory all over the tournament, while Sriyuktha Srijith managed to claim the second place, followed by Ashala Rahul on the third place.

A continuous sports momentum

These competitions reflect the great momentum that is being witnessed during the events of Hafeet Sport Challenge, which continues to establish its position as one of the most prominent social and sports events at the City of Al Ain, through the diversity of tournaments and the expansion of the participation base, in addition to the Ramadan vibes that brings together sports with social interaction.

“Hafeet Sport Challenge” concludes its largest version with a legendary ceremony at Al Ain City Municipality

Celebratory vibes at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium While penalty kicks decisively secured the final matches of institutions and residential neighborhoods football tournaments

Hafeet Sport Challenge. To be published on 06-03-2026

The organizing committee of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026” started to finalize the Challenge’s upcoming closing ceremony, which is schedule to take place on next Sunday, the 19th of the holy month of Ramadan and the 8th of the current month of March, at Al Ain City Municipality building, in a final ceremony that is expected to be the culmination of the largest version in the history of the social and sports event at the City of Al Ain.

The current version witnessed a notable expansion in the volume of competitions, as the number of competitive tournaments was increased into 43 diverse sports tournaments, with an increase of 20 tournaments when compared to the first version, in addition to the increase in the value of the awards with a rate of 100%, in an index that reflects the accelerated growth and the expansion of the social participation base.

The closing ceremony will carry a celebratory aspect that ensures the honoring of partners, sponsors, and the supporting entities, which contributed to facilitating the event, in addition to the crowning of the victorious teams in various tournaments and sports games, which was witnessed at the current version.

The final matches of institutions and residential neighborhoods football tournaments

On yesterday’s evening, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium hosted the final matches of institutions and neighborhoods football tournaments during the events of “Hafeet Sport Challenge”, amid large fans turnout that reflected the growing popularity of the event at the City of Al Ain.

In the final match of the residential neighborhoods football tournament, Al Miryal team settled for a positive draw vs Um Ghafa with the score of 1-1 during match’s original time, then Al Miryal team secured the title via penalty kicks with the score of 4-3, in a match that was characterized with rivalry up until the final moment.

As for the final match of institutions football tournament, match’s original time between Al Hayer team and Al Ittihad Al Arabi for Groups was over with a positive draw 1-1, then penalty kicks secured the title for Al Hayer team with the score of 4-3.

Formal and social attendance

The final match witnessed the attendance of a number of formal and social personalities, led by Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Rakkad Al Ameri, who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Cancer Society, Rashed Musbeh Al Maani, who is the general director of Al Ain City Municipality, Salem Rashed Bin Hudhairam Al Ketbi, who is the Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee for the “Hafeet Sports Challenge”, as well as Khalaf Salem, who is the managing director of partners’ events at Abu Dhabi Council, and Rashid Abdullah, who is the CEO of Al Ain Club investment company and the manager of “Hafeet Sport Challenge”.

The final match was also attended by a number of representatives on behalf of the partners and the tournament’s sponsors, in addition to a group of content creators and influencers on social media platforms.

The live broadcasting of the matches

The official account of “Hafeet Sport Challenge” broadcasted the two final matches live on YouTube platform, which allowed tournament’s fans inside and outside the UAE to watch the events of the final match moment by moment, it also contributed in boosting fans interaction with the event on the digital platforms.

The competitions of the people of determination

The competitions of the people of determination during the events of “Hafeet Sport Challenge” witnessed distinguished competitive atmospheres in a number of sports tournaments.

In the shooting tournament (air pistole 10 meters – the category of SH1) Hasan Murad Al Bloshi was crowned with the first place with an aggregate of 551 points, advancing over Ali Yasser Al Dari who claimed the second position, followed by Hamad Al Mansori in the third place.

In the air rifle tournament (10 meters – the category of SH2) Saeed Al Bloshi claimed the first place with an aggregate of 634.2 points, followed by Saif Al Dhairi in the second place, then came Abdullah Al Ahbabi on the third place.

While the Bowling tournament for mental disability (over 16 years of age) witnessed the victory of Ahmed Naji with the first place with an aggregate of 140 points, then came Al Yaziah Khaled Abdullah in the second place, followed by Al Hareth Al Jebni on the third place.

In the Bowling tournament for the category of hearing disability (over 16 years of age) Adnan Saif Al Jabiri claimed the first place with 524 points, followed by Matar Ali Al Rumaithi in the second place, then came Mohammed Khames Al Aissai on the third place.

The cycling race

The competitions of “Hafeet Sport Challenge” continue on the evening of tomorrow, on Saturday, with the holding of the cycling race, during the event’s diverse program which aims to boost the social sports participation in the City of Al Ain.

The upcoming closing ceremony

It is anticipated that the events of the current version will culminate with the upcoming closing ceremony on next Sunday, in a celebratory evening that will witness the honoring of the partners and sponsors, as well as the coronation of the champions of the various tournament’s, in a closing ceremony that reflects the growing position of “Hafeet Sport Challenge” as one of the most prominent social sports events in the City of Al Ain.