Sharjah Sports Council launches commentator training drive

By James Mercer • 12 September 2026, 12:54 • 3 mins read

Sharjah Sports Council has unveiled a new initiative to identify and train Emirati sports commentators aged 18 and above, partnering with Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and youth centres to expand opportunities and professional pathways in sports media.

Sharjah Sports Council has launched a new programme to find and train Emirati sports commentators. Announced on September 10, 2026, the initiative is open to UAE citizens aged 18 and older. The goal is to address the shortage of local voices in sports media and help build a steady pool of national talent. The project, titled "إعداد وتأهيل وتمكين المعلقين الرياضيين," focuses on identifying and supporting Emiratis interested in sports broadcasting, according to Sharjah24.

The council is working with Sharjah Broadcasting Authority to give participants practical experience in commentary and media production. Federal youth centres are also involved, helping the programme reach a wide range of potential commentators across the country. Sports clubs throughout the emirate have received invitations to recommend candidates for the training, as reported by Sharjah24.

Oversight of the programme is entrusted to a working group that includes Hamid Hashel Al Khrousi, Huthaifa Shams Al Kindi, Mohamed Ahmed Al Hammadi, Tareq Abdul Qader Al Harmoudi, Safia Saleh Al Zarouni, Diaa Eldin Ali Mohamed, and Noura Abdul Nasser Al Zari.

Sharjah24

A working group led by Hamid Hashel Al Khrousi, with Huthaifa Shams Al Kindi as deputy, oversees the programme. The team also includes Mohamed Ahmed Al Hammadi, Tareq Abdul Qader Al Harmoudi, Safia Saleh Al Zarouni, Diaa Eldin Ali Mohamed, and Noura Abdul Nasser Al Zari. Their job is to find promising candidates, deliver the training plan, and coordinate with clubs and youth centres to reach as many people as possible. The curriculum combines theory, hands-on exercises, and workshops to develop the skills needed for sports commentary.

Workshops and training sessions will be held with Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, drawing on the experience of established professionals in the field. The council has asked sports clubs to actively nominate and encourage their members to join. Hamid Hashel Al Khrousi, speaking for the working group, said the curriculum is designed to prepare participants for real roles in sports commentary, with both classroom and practical components.

The programme's organizers are expanding their reach by collaborating with Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and federal youth centres, and have already distributed invitations to sports clubs across the emirate to recommend participants. As of now, the only direct confirmation of the programme's launch comes from Sharjah24, with no independent verification found in major English-language wire sources.

Sharjah24

For young Emiratis interested in sports and communication, this programme offers a way into a field that has mostly relied on non-local commentators. The council aims to build skills, provide real experience, and create a clear path from training to jobs in sports media.

The council's move is intended to localise sports commentary and ensure that UAE athletes and competitions are covered by people who know the culture and context. If the programme succeeds, future sports broadcasts in the UAE may feature more Emirati voices in the commentary booth.

Topics: Youth & Academies Watching Sports #Sharjah Sports Council #Sharjah

UAE CUE Sports Desk

James Mercer

James Mercer is the Founder, Owner, Publisher and Managing Director of UAE CUE Sports, where he oversees editorial direction and the publication's development across the Emirates. He writes about UAE sport, sports media, major events, venues, sports business and the wider relationship between participation, audiences and the country's sporting industry.