UAE School Games conclude with over 2,600 students competing in over 12 sports disciplines

The closing ceremony of the Games is set to take place at Expo City Dubai under the presence of leading figures from the sports sector.

• The balanced representation of male and female participants in the finals signifies the inclusivity of the Games and its dedication to nurturing sport talents across both genders.
• The final events of the Games feature 12 individual and team sports, comprising swimming, athletics, football, chess, among others.
• Over 1,300 students are expected to receive awards during the closing ceremony, as part of competitions that run for five days.



The UAE School Games, one of the nation’s largest sporting events aimed at discovering athletic talent among school students, is set to conclude with a grand closing ceremony at Expo City Dubai on May 24, 2025. The event promises an atmosphere of enthusiasm and competitive spirit, bringing together exceptional student athletes from across the country. 

The closing ceremony will feature senior officials from the UAE’s sports and education sectors, along with representatives from various partner industries. Attendees will witness the final competition showcasing 2,686 students who have qualified through multiple stages of competitions held at school and regional levels across each emirate and educational stages.

Qualified students consist of 1,349 male and 1,337 female participants. The competition encompasses 12 individual and team sports disciplines, including swimming, athletics, judo, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, badminton, chess, table tennis, fencing, laser shooting, football, and archery.

The number of qualifying students in each sport segment is as follows: 441 participants in swimming (277 boys and 164 girls), 433 in athletics (206 boys and 227 girls), 137 in judo (77 boys and 60 girls), 232 in taekwondo (127 boys and 105 girls), and 344 in jiu-jitsu (172 boys and 172 girls).

Meanwhile, in fencing, 34 students qualified (17 boys and 17 girls), while laser shooting had 80 qualifiers (40 boys and 40 girls). In badminton, 185 students qualified (93 boys and 92 girls), alongside 320 in chess (160 boys and 160 girls), 32 in table tennis (16 boys and 16 girls), 384 in football (168 boys and 216 girls), and 64 in archery (32 boys and 32 girls).

The closing ceremony will showcase the awarding of winners across all 12 sports segments. These competitions will take place from May 20 to 24, 2025. The table tennis, swimming, and athletics competitions concluded on May 20, 21, and 22, 2025, respectively. The final competitions for the remaining nine sports disciplines will occur on the same day as the closing ceremony. 

As part of these competitions, a total of 1,365 students are expected to receive gold, silver, and bronze medals. These medals will be awarded across 12 sports segments as follows: 320 in jiu-jitsu, 288 in swimming, 226 in athletics, 200 in taekwondo, 80 in judo, 75 in football, 40 in laser shooting, 40 in badminton, 32 in fencing, 24 in chess, 24 in archery, and 16 in table tennis.

This landmark event marks the impressive conclusion of a major national sporting championship, which is part of the transformative initiatives outlined in the National Sports Strategy 2031. The UAE School Games are managed by the United Arab Emirates Sports Federation for School and University Education Institutions (UAESUSF) in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Education, and the UAE National Olympic Committee, along with various sports federations and educational organizations. These collaborative efforts are crucial for enhancing integration between the sports and education sectors, further supporting the development of emerging athletic talents and achieving the goals of the National Sports Strategy 2031 to have over 30 qualified Emirati athletes for the 2032 Olympic Games. 

The UAE School Games serves as a vital national sporting platform that aims to enhance students' skills across various disciplines, promote physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle, and discover and support future champions who can represent the UAE at regional, international, and Olympic events.