Sania Mirza Honored as Dubai Sports Ambassador, While Ex-Husband Shoaib Malik Faces Online Trolling, Know Why

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Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza has achieved yet another milestone, being appointed as a Dubai Sports Ambassador, a prestigious role reflecting her enduring relationship with the city she considers her "second home." The announcement was made during the Dubai Sports Retreat held at the Museum of the Future.

This was a high-profile event that was attended by notable figures from around the sports world, including UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who was also named as an ambassador. Sania has lived in Dubai for years and continues to reside in the Palm Jumeirah area with her son, Izhaan.

Her strong connection to Dubai, a city where she and her family have built a life, was acknowledged by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. At the event, Sheikh Hamdan expressed his admiration for athletes like Sania.

Especially the ones that have chosen to make Dubai their home and contribute to the city's growing sports community. "Their commitment to advancing sports and nurturing talent is truly inspiring," he noted on social media.

The Dubai Sports Council organized this event to celebrate international athletes who contribute to the city's sports culture. This recognition comes as Sania's latest in a series of achievements, solidifying her legacy in Dubai's sports scene.

She posted on Instagram to share her excitement, receiving congratulations from friends and fans alike. However, while Sania basked in the limelight, her ex-husband, former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, faced a different reception online.

Malik, who recently attended an event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, shared his experience on Instagram, thanking the Saudi community for their warm welcome. His post, however, attracted trolling, with some users accusing him of "copying" Sania's recent honor in Dubai.

Comments flooded in, including, "Sania is a hit in UAE, so now he is trying to become a hit in Saudi by copying her," and other harsh critiques pointing to the couple's personal history. Despite the negativity directed at Malik, Sania's achievement highlights her influence and standing in Dubai.