At Palazzo Versace Dubai, Fujairah Martial Arts Club won gold in Best Social Impact at the 2026 Gulf Sustainability Awards. Club director Nader Abushawish received silver in the Sustainability Leader category.
The available independent search results did not separately corroborate Fujairah Martial Arts Club's Best Social Impact win. This is a limitation of the sources found, not evidence that the reported award did not occur.
How the awards assess entries
Awards International organises the Gulf Sustainability Awards, which recognise sustainability initiatives across the Middle East. The programme has 21 categories covering the environment, social impact, governance and professional excellence. Entrants submit written applications and present to independent judging panels. Zawya's account of the 2026 awards also says a specialist judging committee reviews entries. Independent confirmation of the specific criteria applied to the club was not found.
The club took gold in Best Social Impact. Abushawish's silver recognised his leadership in sustainability.[[smi_quote:{"style":"sideline","text":"The available search results did not identify later official statements from the club, Awards International or UAE sports authorities about the club's programmes, measured social outcomes or decisions after the ceremony. They also did not provide independent figures for participation, youth reach, funding, programme totals or measured results."]]
Recognition and the work ahead
Abushawish called the award both recognition and a responsibility. He said it would encourage the club to develop its programmes, measure their impact and build on existing work to create wider opportunities for the community. "For us, this achievement is the beginning of a new phase of work and service," he said.
The UAE sports calendar also includes announced combat-sport events, such as the RAF Abu Dhabi card announcement. The Fujairah club's award, though, recognises community impact.
The awards give the club and its director formal recognition. The next test is practical: develop programmes and track their effect, as Abushawish said the club intends to do. More work lies ahead.
