This Saturday, girls as young as four will take to the mats at the Sharjah Olympic Centre-not to compete for medals, but to practice movement, build confidence, and get comfortable with sport from the start. The Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation is running its second early childhood gymnastics event for girls aged 4 to 7, keeping the focus on skill-building rather than competition.
Unlike a typical meet, this event is part of the Foundation's wider early childhood sports program. It gives young gymnasts a chance to show what they've learned in training, with routines that test balance, coordination, control, and focus. The event runs from 10:00 to 17:00 on 16 September 2026 at the Sharjah Olympic Centre for Women's Sports, according to Sharjah24. The day is set up for observation and learning, not rankings.
"The first edition of the initiative involved 68 girls from training centers in Sharjah, Al Dhaid, and Kalba, highlighting the program's multi-center reach from its inception."
Sharjah24
Gymnastics was chosen for its ability to develop basic movement skills. The program is designed for young children, matching their physical and cognitive needs and creating a safe, engaging environment. There are no rankings or pressure to win-each child is encouraged to try new skills and gain confidence at her own pace. Sharjah24 notes that the routines focus on balance, coordination, control, and focus, following a youth development model rather than a medal chase.
Sheikha Al Khateri, Head of Technical Preparation and Monitoring at the Foundation, said the event is part of the children's ongoing learning, not a separate contest. "We see the activation as part of the child's learning experience, not a separate competitive event. It gives us a chance to observe what the girls have learned in a new environment, while letting them enjoy and take pride in their progress," she said. The Foundation describes this second event as a "natural extension" of regular training, meant to observe progress in a new setting rather than act as a competition.
The first edition brought together 68 girls from Sharjah, Al Dhaid, and Kalba training centers. They performed floor routines, balance beam skills, and simple exercises on the parallel bars and vault, using equipment adapted for young children. The second edition continues this approach, with the Foundation tracking each participant's development and keeping the focus on healthy movement and positive experiences from the start.
"Sharjah Women's Sports has recently expanded its women's sport programming, including the third edition of the Sharjah Government Women Champions Cup. The organization noted that participation trends in these events reflect a growing interest among girls and women in trying different sports, signaling a broader shift in the local sporting landscape."
Sharjah24
The Foundation's approach is different from the results-driven style often seen in youth sports. By putting skill development and enjoyment first, it aims to set a new standard for early childhood sports in the UAE. This matches a wider trend in youth sport, including recent changes in basketball scheduling, where long-term growth is valued over short-term results.
Sharjah's early childhood gymnastics program offers a model for how youth sport can build both physical skills and self-confidence. By starting with these values, the Foundation hopes to help raise a generation of active young women who see sport as a lifelong part of their lives, not just a contest.
