In a night filled with applause, pride, and no small amount of emotion, Fujairah Martial Arts Club director Nader Abu Shawish was named the Most Influential Arab Sports Personality at a star-studded ceremony in Cairo. The recognition, presented during the fifth edition of the prestigious ‘Best Awards’ hosted by Tatweeg News, capped years of relentless dedication to the growth of martial arts in the region.
Held under Cairo’s warm June sky, the celebration wasn’t just about trophies or speeches. It was about legacy, about reshaping Arab identity in global sport—and, for many in the audience, about giving credit where it was long overdue.
One Man’s Vision, A Region’s Rise
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Ihab Abdelkader stepped on stage to receive the award on behalf of Abu Shawish. The applause was thunderous.
For those unfamiliar, Abu Shawish has spent over a decade transforming the Fujairah Martial Arts Club (FMAC) into one of the most respected training hubs in the Arab world. It’s not just about producing champions, although they’ve done that in spades. It’s about building community, giving youth a sense of purpose, and showing that martial arts can be as much about mental discipline and peace as about medals and kicks.
“This isn’t just about sport,” Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, said during the opening. “This is about nurturing generations. This is about pride.”
Cairo Brings Together the Arab Sporting Powerhouses
You could feel the buzz in the air even before the ceremony began. Cairo, already a cultural heavyweight, played host to top-tier athletes, officials, and diplomats from across the Arab world.
The stage wasn’t just for Abu Shawish. Seated in the front rows were names like MP Mahmoud Hussein, Chair of Egypt’s Youth and Sports Committee; Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport; and Dr. Ahmed Daher, Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Education.
It wasn’t politics, though. It was sports diplomacy at its finest—collaborative, inspiring, and rooted in unity.
The theme for the evening? “Those Who Excel, Are Honored.” It wasn’t just branding. It was a genuine nod to people like Abu Shawish who’ve been grinding behind the scenes for years.
Why This Award Matters More Than You Think
For outsiders, awards come and go. But this one hit differently.
First, it put martial arts—a sport often overshadowed by football and athletics—front and center in Arab media coverage. Second, it spotlighted the UAE’s growing influence in regional sport development, not just as host but as incubator.
Third? It brought the conversation back to the grassroots. Abu Shawish has built more than champions—he’s built role models.
One Egyptian journalist whispered mid-ceremony, “You know what’s crazy? Ten years ago, this kind of award would’ve gone to a footballer. Look how far we’ve come.”
Not Just Sport—It’s Cultural Diplomacy
The event felt like a masterclass in soft power.
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The UAE’s leadership in martial arts training
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Egypt’s regional hosting muscle
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An Arab-wide network of sports figures, federations, and mentors
It wasn’t just a gala. It was a meeting of minds, where the agenda was growth and excellence.
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FMAC’s programs now reach athletes from 17 countries
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Their coaches have conducted training camps in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tunisia
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Over 600 youth in the UAE have graduated from FMAC-run summer martial arts programs since 2020
That’s real influence. Not just profile-boosting.
What Makes Abu Shawish So Respected?
You could chalk it up to medals or tournament wins. But ask anyone close to him and they’ll tell you: it’s about how he treats his team.
A former FMAC athlete, now coaching in Morocco, once described him as “the kind of guy who shows up to your wedding, remembers your mom’s name, and still kicks your ass in sparring.”
His leadership is people-first. His influence? Measured not just in awards, but in how many athletes credit him for changing their lives.
Here’s a quick comparison of FMAC’s regional impact in 2025:
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Countries With FMAC Coaches | 11 |
| International Titles Won | 63 (including 4 World Junior medals) |
| Martial Arts Disciplines Taught | 8 (Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, BJJ, etc.) |
| Youth Athletes Trained | 2,300+ since 2019 |
| Women’s Participation Growth | +68% since 2021 |
Just numbers? Maybe. But they speak volumes.
The Arab Sports Scene Is Changing—And Fast
The larger takeaway from Cairo? Arab sport is diversifying.
Gone are the days when football hogged all the attention. Now it’s wrestling, martial arts, fencing, and swimming. Leaders like Abu Shawish are making it happen.
And the awards are catching up.
What’s next? Rumors are swirling that Abu Shawish may be tapped to help design a regional youth sports curriculum. Nothing confirmed yet, but insiders say conversations are already happening with both UAE and Saudi officials.
