900 participants in the walking race at “Hafeet Sport Challenge”… A 3 years old child, a 90 years old man, and mosques Emams are the one who create the scenery
The Ciry of Al Ain witnesses a rising momentum since the events of “Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026” kicked off, which has been transformed into a vast social sports carnival that brings together all segments of the society, in a social Olympiad that includes nearly 43 sports tournaments which are being hosted in different parts of the city, in one of the most prominent social sports initiatives on the level of the region, which also aims to promote the sports culture as a way of life among society’s members.
Yesterday’s events witnessed the 2.5 km walking tournament kicking off, where the Plaza square in front of the VIP entrance at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium was the starting and finishing point. The event took place among vast participation that exceeded 900 participants of women, children, people of determination, men, and senior citizens, in a scenery that reflects the spirit of social interaction, which is a defining characteristic of the event.
The race also witnessed an official participation of His Excellency Salem Rashed Bin Hadhiram Al Ketbi, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee, as well as Rashid Abdulla, who is the CEO of Al Ain Club investment company and the manager of Hafeet Sport Challenge, as they were keen to be present among the participants and to follow up with the event’s kick off, in an emphasis over leadership’s support to the social sports program and to promote physical fitness culture in the society of the City of Al Ain.
The event recorded a notable presence of a number of mosques Emams affiliated to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat – AWQAF, who were participating in the walk after performing Taraweeh prayers, in an image that reflects the Challenge’s social and human dimension and establishes its message in transforming sports into a way of life for all segments of society.
Bin Hadhiram: “Hafeet Sport Challenge” is expanding year after year, while our sought after goal is to reach the international level
His Excellency Salem Rashed Bin Hadhiram Al Ketbi, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee, emphasized that the event is witnessing a continuous expansion since its kick off, whether on the level of the number of games or the volume of social participation, he also pointed out that the current version includes tens of tournaments within 43 different games.
He also explained that this development reflects society’s huge turnout, he also emphasized that the City of Al Ain has become vibrant in sports life with the Challenge’s events spreading into multiple locations, he also pointed out that hosting a huge number of tournaments in one day reflects the volume of the great organizational work, as well as the exerted efforts by the organizing committee to facilitate the event.
He added that the main sought after goal is represented in the culture of physical activity and social welfare, with futuristic aspirations to develop the Challenge into attracting regional and international participation.
Rashid Abdullah: “Lifetime is only a number” in Hafeet Sport Challenge
In his turn, Rashid Abdulla, who is the CEO of Al Ain Club investment company and the manager of Hafeet Sport Challenge, emphasized that the walking race, which has been hosted in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Sports Council, represented the event’s social aspect, where individuals from different age categories were participating.
He also pointed out that the most prominent message which the walking event carries is that “lifetime is only a number”, he also referred to the participation of children and elderly people, some of whom were over ninety years of age, in addition to the presence of families, government and private entities, which were keen to engage their employees in the event.
He also added that the distinguished Ramadan atmospheres at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium and the accompanying events contributed in promoting the spirit of social engagement, which is a defining characteristic of the event.
Among the participants: Hafeet Sport Challenge brings together families in Ramadan atmospheres
A number of participants praised the vibes that accompanied the walking event, as they emphasized that the event carries a distinguished social aspect that brings together families in positive Ramadan atmospheres.
The participant Haytham bin Salama explained that his son Ibrahim (who is 3 years of age) was the youngest participant in the race, he also pointed out that the event came amid distinguished organization and beautiful Ramadan atmospheres.
The two participants Nyashi and Lee expressed their cheerfulness over participating in the Challenge, as they emphasized that the collective atmospheres grant the sports activity a greater momentum in comparison with the individual training.
Dr. Abdullah Abbas, who is the 95 years old former educator and the founder of Zayed Library at the UAE University, expressed his cheerfulness over participating, he also emphasized that such initiatives promote bonds among members of society and encourage the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.
The final matches of institutions tournament and residential neighborhoods tournament will be moved into Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium
The supreme organizing committee of Hafeet Sport Challenge 2026 announced that the final matches of institutions tournament and residential neighborhoods tournament will be moved into Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on today’s evening, taking into consideration the increasing fans turnout and the value of competitions the tournament has reached.
The final match of the residential neighborhoods tournament will be bringing together Um Ghafa team with Al Myrial at 09:30 pm, while the final match of the institutions tournament will be bringing together Al Ittihad Al Arabi for Universities with Al Hayer sports team on 10:30 pm.
“Hafeet Sport Challenge” launches an initiative dedicated for content creators
In the framework of promoting the event’s media presence and its digital promulgation, the organizing committee announced the launching of a creative initiative, which targets photographers and content creators across the two tournaments of “Photograph Challenge” and “Content Challenge”.
The organizing committee allocated 4 awards totaling 10000 AED to the participants who document the Challenge with their lenses and digital creativities, while submissions will be accepted until the 7th of March.
The coronation of champions across several tournaments
On the level of sports competitions, yesterday’s events witnessed the coronation of a number of champions across different tournaments within the Challenge’s program.
In the Hexathlon for the people of determination, Khalifa Mubarak Al Yahiai was crowned with the first place, followed by Sultan Salem Al Shamsi who claimed the second place, then came Rashed Mattar Al Dhairi in the third place.
In the shooting tournament – the air rifle for juniors, Hashem Ibrahim Hashem was successful in claiming the first place with an aggregate of 199.4 points.
While Ali Mubarak Omar Salem claimed the first place in the archery tournament with an aggregate of 277 points, while Salwa Salem Al Hadrami was crowned with the first place in the competitions of 9mm pistole for women with an aggregate of 197 points.
In the team games, Lahore Darbar team reached the final match of Al Ain Ramadan Cricket Cup after claiming victory over TNS Al Ain team with a margin of 32 points.
While Al Batin team was crowned with the title of tennis ball tournament after claiming victory over Al Jahili Fort team with three sets vs one set.
In women basketball tournament, Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy was crowned with the title after claiming victory in the final match over E-United team with the score of 79 to 50.
