The "UAE Marytrs Championships" - a football tournament for sporting clubs in Yemen - kicked off on Friday in the Shabwa Governorate.

A minute of silence was held during the opening ceremony - sponsored by the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC - for the martyrs of the UAE Armed Forces.

The ERC team hailed this gesture by the people of Shabwa, adding that the championship reflects the deep historical ties between the two brotherly peoples, and the good values and customs that characterise the people of Yemen.

The ERC also announced that an award of 600,000 Yemeni Riyals would be allocated to both the winning team and the runners-up, while 50,000 Yemeni Riyals would be awarded to each of the tournament's top scorer, best player, and best goalkeeper.

The organising committee behind the UAE Marytrs Championships praised the efforts exerted by the ERC across humanitarian aid and relief initiatives, and the generous support it has provided to ensure that the tournament takes place.

The committee reaffirmed that the competition is in recognition of the honourable UAE martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to defend the safety and security of Yemen.