The 2025 Mughayra Grand Kingfish Fishing Championship for Women Kicks Off with Remarkable Attendance

The 2025 Mughayra Grand Kingfish Fishing Championship for Women has officially launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, the event saw impressive participation from 105 female anglers representing 12 different nationalities. This unique sporting event celebrates women’s skills in kingfish fishing and highlights their growing role in this traditional maritime field.

Participants launched from three main locations: 64 from Abu Dhabi, 18 from Al Mirfa, and 23 from Dalma Island, in a scene that reflected the cultural diversity and unity among the competitors, set within a high-spirited and competitive atmosphere.

The opening was attended by Dr. Ghuwayya Al Neyadi, Senior Vice President of Medical Services and Quality of Life at ADNOC Group; Reem Musabbah Al Mansouri, Advisor in the Ruler’s Court in Al Dhafra; Mahra Mohammed Al Hajri, Senior Monitoring Specialist at the Ruler’s Representative Office in Al Dhafra; Sultan Rashid Al Ali, Fisheries Management Expert; Mohammed Salem Al Zaabi, Biodiversity and Compliance Specialist at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi; Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Head of the Organizing Committee for the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championships; as well as committee members Zayed Sari Al Mazrouei, Khalifa Al Suwaidi, and Khalifa Al Rumaithi, along with several media representatives and marine sports enthusiasts.

This championship embodies the UAE’s approach to empowering women across various sectors, including marine sports, which have seen a growing female presence thanks to the wise leadership and continuous institutional support. The Mughayra Championship offers a distinctive platform for women to showcase their capabilities in an equitable competitive environment while affirming their vital role in preserving the nation’s maritime heritage and cultural legacy.

Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Head of the Organizing Committee, expressed pride in the significant female turnout, saying:
“We are proud of the high level of interest shown by women in participating in the Mughayra Championship. This reflects a spirit of passion and professionalism in kingfish fishing and proves that Emirati and Arab women are capable of excelling in all fields, including traditional and marine sports.”

He added:
“Empowering women in heritage sports is an essential part of our strategic vision. Supporting women in these sports not only enriches the sporting scene but also contributes to the preservation and revitalization of the Emirati cultural heritage for future generations.”

Al Mazrouei extended his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his gracious patronage of the championship. He also emphasized the committee’s commitment to providing safe and fair competitive platforms that enable women to express their skills and develop their talents, while continuing efforts to expand female participation in future local and international events.

It is worth noting that the Mughayra Grand Kingfish Fishing Championship for Women—part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Kingfish Championship series for the 2024–2025 season—features a prize pool exceeding AED 800,000. The first-place winner will receive AED 150,000, the second-place winner AED 100,000, and the third AED 50,000.