• The popular family sporting event will take place for two weeks from today to Sunday, March 24. A prize fund of AED 350,000 will be up for grabs for winners.​

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 12 March, 2024: Erth Abu Dhabi, a beacon of Emirati hospitality in the UAE capital, is delighted to announce the return of the Zayed Sports Tournament to Abu Dhabi this Ramadan, taking place from today to 24th March.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of the Presidential Court of the UAE, the tournament builds on the 26 years of success and promises another exciting chapter in its legacy.

Building on its long-standing tradition of excellence, the Zayed Sports Tournament returns to Abu Dhabi this Ramadan, marking its 27th edition and continues to attract exceptional athletes and teams from across the UAE, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and compete for a lucrative prize pool of AED 350,000. Featuring exciting competitions in football, boxing, padel tennis, and more, the event fosters a vibrant atmosphere perfect for families and friends to come together and cheer on the players. This year, there are exciting new additions in the games with Pétanque, Emirati Ladies Only Padel, Gymnastics and chess, offering even more diverse opportunities for participation and enjoyment.

Formed nearly three decades ago in honour of Sheikh Zayed, the visionary leader and founder of the UAE, the yearly Zayed Sports Tournament commemorates his enduring love for athletics and embodies the inclusive ethos of Ramadan, fostering community unity and goodwill.

Over the past 25 years, this landmark initiative has evolved into an extraordinary platform for the UAE's thriving sporting community. Since its inception in 1997, it has inspired over 40,753 athletes and 670 teams, welcomed more than 69,000 spectators, and distributed an astonishing AED 28.6 million in prize money.

Organized by Etizan Fitness at Erth Abu Dhabi, teams and athletes shall be competing in one of the seven sports categories held each day after Iftar.

The jam-packed schedule includes:

•            Women's football from 11th to 15th March
•             Padel from 11th to 16th March
•             Boxing from 14th to 16th March
•             Swimming on 23rd March
•             Junior football matches on the 16th and 17th March
•             Pétanque also on 16th and 17th March
•             Chess from 21st to 23rd March
•             Gymnastics on 17th March
•             Men's football matches from 17th to 24th March

Offering an unmissable chance to contribute to the UAE's sporting legacy, registrations start as low as AED 50 per person for swimming, AED 250 per person for padel, free registration for pétanque, free registration for junior football, and AED 1000 per team for men's and women's football. Those interested in registering for boxing categories can do so through the UAE Boxing Federation.

The remarkable prizes up for grabs include AED 60,000 for the top men's and women's football teams, AED 55,000 in padel, AED 26,000 in men's boxing.

On this occasion, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Mohammed H. Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said: 'We are honoured to present the 27th edition of the Zayed Sports Tournament, guided by the spirit of our Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed. The passion and ambition exhibited by this year's participants serve as a beacon of inspiration, reflecting the compassionate and inclusive ethos championed by Sheikh Zayed. We extend our heartfelt wishes for success to all athletes, as they embody the spirit of unity and excellence that defines this remarkable tournament.'

Shaikha Al Kaabi, CEO of Erth Abu Dhabi said: 'This event holds profound significance in our history and heritage, encapsulating the enduring values instilled by Sheikh Zayed within our community. With a multitude of skilled athletes and teams already registered, we anticipate captivating matches showcasing exceptional athleticism. We extend a warm invitation to all to join us post-Iftar during Ramadan, to cheer on our athletes and partake in this esteemed community celebration!

Erth also offers enticing Iftar and Sohur packages across venues, perfect for creating memorable family experiences during this special time.

To register for Zayed Sports Tournament or for more information, please visit https://etizan.ae/en/zayed-sports-tournament