The annual Abu Dhabi Zayed Sports Tournament is launching women-only competitions this year to encourage female sports participation among Emiratis during Ramadan. The tournament has been running for 23 years and hosts contests for both genders; However, the women's games are held in a mixed environment, preventing some Emirati women from taking part. "In the past, it was mostly women from international teams who participated,” said Fatima Al Ameri, a representative from the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy. “Very few women participated from the UAE.” The tournament included women-only football last year for the first time, which proved a big hit so the academy collaborated with the tournament's organisers to launch more competitions. “The move was to encourage more women, whether locals or residents, professional or amateur, to take part in sports,” said Nefeli Chondrogianni, communication and technical affairs manager at FBMA. “It is a community event and a friendly competition with good prize money.” The winning basketball team alone will take home Dh45,000 to share, while the handball winners will receive Dh30,000. Individual winners in the archery contest will receive Dh10,000 each. The Zayed Sports Tournament is organised by the Armed Forces Officers Club and Hotel and takes place at venues across the capital each year during Ramadan as a tribute to Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father. It features 16 different sporting activities, including basketball, football, swimming, judo, jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, chess, volleyball and gymnastics. Scheduled for the first week of Ramadan, the tournament will last for 21 days, with 68 local and international teams competing in various sports competitions. As well as the Armed Forces Officers Club and Hotel, it will take place at Yas Marina Circuit, Zayed Sports City and Abu Dhabi Ladies Club. Registration for the tournament opened on Wednesday and applicants can register through the tournament's official website <a href="http://www.zayedtournament.com">www.zayedtournament.com</a>.
