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The UAE modern sailing team secured 10 medals at the Arab Modern Sailing Championship held in Hurghada, Egypt, from January 28 to February 1. The impressive haul included four gold medals, four silver medals, and two bronze medals, highlighting the nation’s growing dominance in regional modern sailing competitions.
The championship attracted 136 male and female athletes from 10 Arab nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, and host nation Egypt. According to official reports, the multi-day event featured various age categories and sailing classes across different competition levels.
UAE Modern Sailing Team Dominates Medal Standings
Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, congratulated the national team on their outstanding achievement. He praised the distinguished technical level demonstrated by the athletes and acknowledged the efforts of the technical and administrative staff who contributed to these positive results.
The gold medals came through exceptional performances across multiple categories. Abdullah Al Zubaidi claimed top honors in the ILCA 4 general category, while Luka Herve secured victory in the Optimist general class. Additionally, Doha Al Bushr won gold in the ILCA 6 girls category, and Carolina Pajak triumphed in the Optimist girls division.
Silver and Bronze Medal Winners Shine
The silver medals showcased the depth of talent within the UAE modern sailing roster. Hamad Al Muhairi finished second in the Optimist juniors category, while Othman Al Hammadi earned silver in ILCA 6 general. Meanwhile, Adel Khaled secured second place in the ILCA 7 Masters category, and Marwa Al Hammadi added another silver in ILCA 4 girls.
Mohamed Al Owais contributed to the medal tally by winning bronze in the ILCA 7 under-19 category. However, Marwa Al Hammadi demonstrated versatility by claiming an additional bronze medal in the ILCA 4 general category, complementing her silver medal performance in the girls division.
Growing Regional Competition in Sailing Sports
The Arab Modern Sailing Championship represents a crucial platform for developing sailing talent across the Middle East and North Africa region. In contrast to previous years, the 2025 edition saw increased participation numbers, reflecting growing interest in modern sailing sports among Arab nations.
The championship’s various categories, including ILCA and Optimist classes, provide competitive opportunities for sailors across different age groups and skill levels. These international competitions serve as important qualifying events and training opportunities for athletes aspiring to compete at higher international levels.
The UAE’s strong performance at the Arab Modern Sailing Championship reinforces the country’s investment in water sports development and athlete training programs. The success across multiple categories demonstrates the effectiveness of the federation’s comprehensive approach to nurturing sailing talent from junior levels through masters competitions.
The sailing federation has not yet announced the team’s next competitive engagement or whether additional training camps will be scheduled following this successful championship campaign. Further details regarding the national team’s competition calendar are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
