Dubai honours Novak Djokovic, Manny Pacquiao and Arshad Nadeem at World Sports Summit
Global leaders gather in UAE for 13th Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Sports Award
DUBAI – The winners of the 13th Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Sports Award were announced on Monday during the World Sports Summit in Dubai, bringing together leading figures from the global sports community.
The award is regarded as the largest of its kind worldwide in terms of prize value and number of categories. The announcement took place as part of a summit that drew wide international participation and focused on the future direction of global sport.
Hamdan bin Mohammed attends the inaugural World Sports Summit, organised by the Dubai Sports Council and attended by over 1,500 sports stars and leaders from around the world. His Highness met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and witnessed the signing of an agreement to… pic.twitter.com/wdKsUutOUp
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 29, 2025
The World Sports Summit was organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the directives and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The event opened under the theme ‘Uniting the World Through Sport’, highlighting sport’s role in fostering global cooperation and development.
World Sports Summit
Award recipients were honoured in the presence of senior UAE leaders and more than 1,500 sports officials, administrators, athletes and decision-makers from the UAE, the Arab world and beyond. International sports stars also took part in panel discussions and sessions examining pathways for strengthening the global sports ecosystem.
Hamdan bin Mohammed attends the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Sports Award on opening day of World Sports Summit. pic.twitter.com/3nIvNgKCqG
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 29, 2025
Speaking at the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Dubai was proud to honour distinguished sports figures, leaders and champions whose achievements have left a lasting impact on international sport. He emphasised that sport remains a key priority within government strategy and reaffirmed Dubai’s role as a global hub for excellence and innovation across all sectors, including sports.
Top honours
Among the prominent winners, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic received the Global Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his sustained excellence and influence in world sport. Pakistani Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem was presented with the Exceptional Sports Achievement Award for his historic accomplishments on the international stage.
The Global Sports Career Award was jointly awarded to a group of legendary athletes, including Brazilian football icon Ronaldo, Italian greats Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini, Spanish legend Andrés Iniesta, French basketball star Tony Parker, and Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
Other global honours included the Global Sports Leadership Award for Nasser Al Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain, the Global Athlete Award for Danish Olympic badminton champion Viktor Axelsen, and the Global Sports Team Award for Paris Saint-Germain. FIFA received the Global Sports Organisation Award, while American Olympic champion Ibtihaj Muhammad was named Global Inspirational Athlete.
Arab Sports Personality Award
At the Arab level, the Arab Sports Personality Award was presented to Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain. Egyptian Olympic champion Ahmed El Gendy received the Arab Athlete Award, while the Arab Sports Career Award was shared by Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur and Qatari Olympic high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim.
Within the UAE category, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, received the Emirati Sports Personality Award. The Emirati Athlete Award went to MMA fighter Khamzat Chimaev, Al Ain Football Club was named Emirati Sports Team of the Year, and Emirati jiu-jitsu athlete Ghala Al Hammadi received the Promising Emirati Star Award.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award was first launched in 2008 and was known for its initial 12 editions as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award. Its expanded format reflects Dubai’s vision to recognise not only individual excellence but also globally influential institutions and initiatives.