The Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy Volleyball Cup for Ladies 2026 has begun in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, known as the “Mother of the Nation.”

The tournament is being held under the directives of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, as well as Chairwoman of Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and Al Ain Ladies Club.

The five-day competition brings together six women's volleyball teams from the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria and Egypt, providing an international platform for female athletes to compete and exchange sporting expertise.

Six teams compete for the title

The participating teams are Salwa Al Sabah from Kuwait, Wadi Finan from Jordan, 6th of October Club and Smouha Club from Egypt, Police Club from Syria, and the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy Volleyball Team representing the UAE.

The tournament officially opened with a ceremony at the headquarters of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy in Abu Dhabi. The event featured sporting and entertainment segments marking the launch of the competition.

The opening matches began at 7:30pm, with the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy Volleyball Team defeating Jordan's Wadi Finan 3-0. In the second match, Egypt's 6th of October Club defeated Syria's Al Shorta 3-0, setting the tone for a competitive tournament.

Final scheduled for August 24

The tournament will conclude on August 24, when the final and official awards ceremony will take place.

Teams will compete through the preliminary rounds and semi-finals before the finalists battle for the championship title. The tournament provides participating players with an opportunity to gain competitive experience against teams from different Arab countries.

Platform for women's sporting development

H.E. Dr. Omniyat Al Hajri, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, said Abu Dhabi's hosting of the competition reinforces the emirate's position as a destination for women's sporting events in the region.

She added that the tournament gives Emirati players the opportunity to compete against Arab teams, gain valuable experience and exchange technical expertise with other athletes and teams.

According to Al Hajri, these opportunities can contribute to raising the technical level of Emirati players while strengthening the presence of women's volleyball in the UAE.

Supporting the growth of women's volleyball

The tournament forms part of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy's broader vision to expand competitive opportunities for women and organise sporting events that expose female athletes to different levels of competition.

Through tournaments and other sporting initiatives, the Academy aims to create an environment where women athletes can develop their abilities, gain competitive experience and progress in their sporting careers.

The 2026 Volleyball Cup therefore represents not only a regional sporting competition but also another step towards strengthening opportunities for women in volleyball and expanding Abu Dhabi's role in hosting women's sports events.

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