In line with its mandate to advance Emirati women’s thinking, knowledge and learning in the realm of sports, the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, FBMA, has announced the return of its 'Basics of Equestrian Journalism' workshop this year for UAE national students to advance their skills.

The workshop, which forms part of the academy’s ongoing mission to provide extensive education in the local sports industry, was launched last year following FBMA’s appointment to act as the Headquarters of the Women Committee of the Gulf Sport Media Association, GSMA, in January 2016. The academy’s monthly organisation of educational seminars for athletes, parents, wider sports community and general public highlights its proactivity in advancing the involvement of female local population in sports and sport related activities, and contributing to the health and well-being of current and future generations.

The media workshop, which will run daily until Friday 24th February, provides participants with an in-depth overview of the essential skillset that students in journalism and media need to develop in order to make successful sports reporters. Students are also given the chance to gain invaluable practical experience in line with international events held across Abu Dhabi.

The second session of the workshop builds on the experience from last year’s inaugural session held by FBMA, and forms part of a series of sport journalism workshops that is envisaged to grow to include all sports that FBMA currently hosts international events in.

FBMA is hosting the workshop in partnership with Health Authority Abu Dhabi, HAAD, who have been the academy’s official education partner since the start of the year. Across the event, participants will be briefed on the rules of equestrian sports, and have a practice session on journalistic writing.

The workshop is being held in the run up to the FBMA International Show Jumping Cup 2017, which returns to the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club in its 4th edition this weekend of February 24th and 25th, with over 120 international and local riders competing for the prestigious cup.

The FBMA International Show Jumping Cup is hosted under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and with the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and President of the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, and underlines Abu Dhabi’s standing as a regional sports hub and a development agent in women’s sports in the region and beyond.