H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attended this evening the 10th annual ceremony to honour sports achievers for the year 2015.
Also in attendance were H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Chairman of the General Authority of Youth and Sports; Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Emirates Tennis Association; Sheikh Humaid bin Ammar bin Humaid al Nuaimi, Sheikhs, senior officials and heads of national sports associations.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, was among the honoured achievers for 2015 as the champion of endurance races. H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman was announced as the 'Sports Personality of the Year' in appreciation of his pioneering role in the advancement of the Emirati sports.
The event saw distribution of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's grant of AED20.7 million to the national associations of cycling, disabled sports, air sports, equestrian, swimming, jiu jitsu, as well as referees.
In his opening speech, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan welcomed Sheikh Mansour and thanked him for patronising the annual ceremony. He congratulated the honoured sports associations and individuals.
"This is a great occasion as we gather here with pride to honour our outstanding sports champion with an award bearing the name of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan," he added.
He expressed his gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates for their keen sport to sports and capability development.
"I congratulate His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi and all achievers. We are proud of them as they endeavour to see the UAE flag flying high in international arenas," he said.