The winners of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Creative Sports Award were honoured at an awards ceremony in Dubai after being congratulated by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and the Egyptian national squash team were among the winners across the 13 categories.

The award winners were announced at a press conference on 26 November, but the ceremony itself took place on January 9 as part of the Sports Creativity Forum.

The Sports Creativity Forum saw representatives from across the sports industry in the Middle East come together to discuss issues such as youth participation and innovation in sport.

At the awards ceremony, Sheikh Hamdan said: “We assemble around this time every year to welcome the sporting world’s leading creators and honour them in recognition of their innovative efforts, achievements and initiatives that contribute towards the development of sport.”

Mo Salah, who was named Outstanding Arab Athlete for his footballing success with Liverpool FC and the Egyptian national team, said: “An award that holds the name of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid is a great one, because its value comes from Sheikh Mohammed’s great position as the pioneer innovator in all fields.”

Fellow Egyptian Mohamed Ihab Youssef was awarded the Arab Athlete Award for winning three gold medals at the World Weighlifting Championship, while Mohammed Ahmed Al Balushi was announced as Outstanding Local Athlete after winning the Motorcycling World Cup.

Egypt’s national men’s squash team won the Arab Team Award, while other awards honoured administrators and coaches.
The tenth edition of the Creative Sports Awards were held at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the Sheikh Rashid ballroom.

Sheikh Hamdan continued: “This year, the awards hold an even greater significance because they coincide with our celebrations marking the achievements and efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in his 50 years of service to the nation.

“The awards not only have the honour of bearing the name of this great visionary, but they are also held under the banner of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.”