Abu Dhabi Sports Council Wins Global Award for Organizing the “MyWhoosh” Virtual Championship

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council has won an international award from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in recognition of its organization of the “MyWhoosh” Ramadan Virtual Championship. The award was presented as part of the second edition of the “Cycling for All for a Sustainable Future” awards, which were announced during the UCI Mobility and Bike City Forum held on June 20-21 in the Danish capital, Copenhagen.

The Council earned this distinguished accolade for organizing the “MyWhoosh” Ramadan Virtual Cycling Race, which was conducted through an innovative digital platform designed to promote community engagement in cycling. The event offered an inclusive sporting experience that combined cultural and health dimensions. The award was received by Mohammed Husain Al Shatari, Community Events Director at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, during the official award ceremony.

The “MyWhoosh” Virtual Race was selected by the judging panel for its comprehensive vision and broad impact, as the 2023 and 2024 editions attracted over 18,000 participants from more than 80 countries. The race has contributed to reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global cycling capital, aligned with its status as one of the UCI’s recognized Bike Cities.

On this occasion, His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “This global recognition reflects our commitment to adopting innovative sports initiatives that embody the values of community engagement and sustainability. Winning this prestigious award from the UCI for the MyWhoosh Virtual Race reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s leading position as a global city that embraces cycling and provides a dynamic digital environment for its practice. We will continue working on developing sports projects that enhance quality of life and align with our vision for sustainable and inclusive sports for all.”

The forum, held in collaboration with the Copenhagen Bike Summit, gathered leading figures in sustainable transportation, representatives of national cycling federations, industry experts, and policymakers. Four winning projects were honored for their contributions to sustainability, active mobility, and inclusivity in the sport of cycling.

This recognition is a testament to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s efforts in adopting impactful digital sports initiatives that further solidify the UAE capital’s status as a global sports hub that champions innovation and supports healthy, sustainable lifestyles.