13 schools participate in AUS Sharakah Sports Festival

American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently held the Sharakah Sports Festival 2015 for high school students from its Sharakah partner schools in Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The event is an AUS community outreach program that encourages students from grades 10 to 12 at Sharakah schools to embrace good sportsmanship and fitness.

Held on the AUS campus, the Sharakah Sports Festival included football, volleyball and basketball tournaments in which over 600 students formed 43 teams to compete for the Sharakah Cup. The male students from Sharakah schools competed in the football tournament, while both boys and girls participated in the volleyball and basketball tournaments.

First place in football went to Al Nahada National School, and the teams from Al Mawakeb School-Garhoud secured first place in girls and boys volleyball. Placing first in girls and boys basketball were Al Mawakeb School-Barsha and Al Mawakeb School-Garhoud, respectively.

At the beginning of the festival, Ali Shuhaimy, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at AUS, welcomed all participating teams and encouraged them to practice good sportsmanship. Shuhaimy also stressed the importance of Sharakah's extracurricular activities and added that this year's Sharakah calendar includes a wide range of events that target students, teachers and parents.

The events also welcomed players' families and the AUS community at large to enjoy outdoor fun activities including a graffiti competition, and food and snacks were provided to all visitors.

Schools participating in the festival were the International Community School, Al Najah Private School, Al Rawafed Private School and Al Nahada National School from Abu Dhabi; Liwa International School and Madar International School from Al-Ain; Al Mawakeb School (Garhoud and Barsha campus), International School of Arts & Sciences and Dubai International School from Dubai; and Sharjah American International School, Al Ma'arifa International Private School and Al Shoula Private School from Sharjah.

Sharakah is a partnership program between AUS and select high schools initiated by the Office of Enrollment Management to partner with certain schools selected to engage with the university's strategic initiative to create a platform for cooperation in various academic and non-academic areas. These include the engagement of teachers and students through training sessions, workshops, as well as cultural, social and sporting activities.