Sharjah women lose to Petroleum Club at the Arab Clubs Games

Sharjah Women's Sports Club were beaten in basketball by Algeria's Petroleum Club, 81-60, at the 2020 Arab Women's Clubs Games, hosted by the emirate of Sharjah.

Sharjah have a single win in the tournament, 85-60 against Elite Athletics of Saudi Arabia, having lost their previous match to Tunisia's Al Amal 84-59.

Sharjah meet Kuwait's Al Fatat on Saturday in their fourth match in Group B, which also contains Elite Athletics, Al Fatat, Al Amal and Petroleum Club.

Group A comprises Al Sahel of Syria, Sporting of Egypt, Al Riffa of Bahrain and Al Fuheis of Jordan.

The wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, chairwoman of Sharjah Women's Sport Foundation which organises the event, attended the opening ceremony of the fifth Arab Women's Clubs Games last Sunday.

Her Highness said the games have become the most prominent sporting event in the Arab world in supporting the ambitions and hopes of women in sport, and wished all the Arab competitors well.

“After long effort and diligent work, Arab sportswomen have achieved a series of significant accomplishments that are a source of pride, and through what they deliver in practice they have been able to change the stereotype of Arab women, who for many years remained hostage to a narrow view that limited the development of their capabilities.”

The games cover nine sports: basketball, volleyball, karate, archery, shooting, show jumping, table tennis, fencing and athletics.

Seventy-eight clubs from 18 Arab countries compete for the titles, from 2 to 12 February.

The Arab Women's Clubs Games began in 2012 on the initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, and are held in the emirate of Sharjah every two years.