Sisters... “Taekwondo”

“Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation’s strategies have contributed to a qualitative leap in women’s sports. What Emirati women have achieved in sports, both locally and internationally, is the result of a combination of factors, including planning and organization, providing all the necessary elements for success, the players’ determination to excel, their high level of commitment to training programs, and the guidance of coaches. Success is born from vision, follow-up, and determination.” This insightful statement was made by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation, at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 sports season for the Sharjah Women’s Sports Club. It underscores the Emirate’s commitment to developing women’s athletic abilities. Her Highness added, “Women’s sports represent a qualitative leap in Sharjah, and it is the role of sports institutions to find the best way to promote sports in society and to enact regulations that support and empower clubs, thus ensuring optimal investment in our female athletes.” Her Highness’s vision reinforces the conviction that behind every achievement in any field are high ideals, exemplary role models, and progressive forces with enlightened thinking. Minds that encourage excellence through support and assistance. This is the case with Emirati families, who do their utmost to develop the abilities and talents of their sons and daughters. They also strive to provide everything that will take them to the forefront in various fields. This is the case with the parents of the two sisters, Salma and Sarah Rashid Saeed Khamis Al Ketbi, who guided all their daughters and sons to achieve sporting accomplishments in the sport in which the two sisters started from the Mleiha Cultural and Sports Club, whose sports teams they are affiliated with. In this regard, they say that Mohammed Sultan Al Khasouni, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the club, has a major role in their excellence and distinction, as thanks to his support for male and female players of different ages and age groups, they passed with distinction in the Arab Cup Championship, or the Arab Open Taekwondo Championship, as well as the Fujairah Open Championship, the “11” session, which were held at the Sheikh Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah, and they won multiple medals in each of them.

The distinguished sisters are Salma (19 years old), a high school graduate from Zayed Complex, who currently works in the police force at the Wasit Correctional and Punitive Institutions branch. In the UAE Taekwondo Elite Championship, she won first place and the gold medal in the women's category. Her sister Sarah also won first place and a gold medal. The championship was held at the Sharjah Individual Sports Club with the participation of clubs from across the UAE. In the UAE-Korea Friendship Championship, Salma won first place and a gold medal, as did her sister Sarah, who also won the second-place trophy. Asayel also won first place and a gold medal, while their sister Hessa won second place and a silver medal. In the UAE Open Junior and Youth Championship, organized by Sharjah Individual Sports Club, their sister Majda won first place and the gold medal in the girls' category, while Sheikha won first place and the gold medal in the junior girls' category. Speaking on behalf of her sisters, Salma Al Ketbi explained that her father works in the armed forces, and her mother is a first sergeant in the Dubai Police. She has eight sisters and four brothers who have achieved sporting accomplishments in handball, one at Sharjah Club and another at Maliha Club. Her sisters have won gold medals in various sports in multiple championships. She said, "The 2024 Arab Cup was my first time participating