General Authority for Sports reviews achievements of sports sector with extensive participation of sports federations during National Sports Day

The Authority declares National Sports Day as an annual event to celebrate sports achievements. The details of the School Games Tournament launched by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was also reviewed during the event.

Sheikh Rashid bin Hamid Al Nuaimi: This years Sports Day marks a significant milestone, with the launch of the inaugural edition of School Games Tournament by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, alongside the review of the nation’s sports achievements in 2023.

His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi: The introduction of the inaugural School Games Tournament by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed highlights the crucial role of the education sector in identifying talent and cultivating Olympic champions who can proudly represent the UAE globally.

His Excellency Ghanem Al-Hajri: Community, school and university sport serve as the foundation of professional sport. We are working with partners to build on achievements and enhance productive and effective sports mobility in the country.

• Launching the new logo for school games and scrutinizing the particulars of the inaugural edition, which has garnered participation from 2,011 students across 233 schools in 10 different sports.
• The first phase of the National Sports Strategy 2031 has successfully concluded, achieving an impressive 95% completion rate across all projects. Among them, six projects have reached full completion, while two others stand at 80% completion.
• The Emirates Elite and High-Level Sports Committee categorized 30 sports, including five priority sports, and focused on five initiatives dedicated to supporting elite athletes.
• The Committee selected 23 talented athletes across nine diverse sports and implemented numerous comprehensive support programs to enhance the UAE’s prospects for representation at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Preliminary estimates of the National Sports Survey indicate that the proportion of sports practitioners in society increased by more than 15%, compared to 43% recorded in 2018.

UAE, Thursday, 7 March 2024

The General Authority of Sports has dedicated the National Sports Day - which is held annually in response to the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai - to celebrate the achievements made throughout the year in the UAE sports sector. This was announced during an event organized by the Authority in partnership with the National Olympic Committee and in cooperation with the UAE Sports Federation for the Institutions of School and University Education (UAESUSF).

This gathering not only marked the dedication of the National Sports Day but also unveiled details of the inaugural edition of the School Games Tournament, a significant project stemming from the National Sports Strategy 2031. The final competition of this tournament is scheduled to take place in May, with the revelation of the tournament’s new slogan adding to the anticipation surrounding the event.

Sheikh Rashid bin Hamid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, attended the event, in addition to His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, President of the General Authority for Sport, Her Excellency Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Schools Establishment, and H.E. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of the General Authority for Sports, and H.E. Faris Mohammed Al Mutwa, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee, and H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti, Executive Director of Sports Development Sector, General Authority for Sport, Ali Masri Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of UAESUSF. Several officials and leading figures from the sports sector in the UAE also attended the event, along with a significant number of students, including those who have participated in the trial edition of School Games Tournament event and have attained top positions.

Sheikh Rashid bin Hamid Al Nuaimi said: “The National Sports Day celebration represents a significant milestone, as it witnesses the launching of the inaugural edition of the School Games Tournament by His Highness Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the President of the National Olympic Committee. This reflects the wise leaderships dedication to nurturing the younger generations and encouraging them to embrace sports as an integral part of their culture, promoting an active lifestyle. The celebration also served as an opportunity to review the remarkable initiatives and accomplishments in the sports sector within the country. It has become an annual occasion to commemorate our sporting achievements and strengthen the principle of collaboration in order to elevate UAE’s sports to new heights.”

His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi praised the launch of the inaugural edition of the School Games Tournament announced by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. H.E said: “The foundation of grooming sports champions lies within the realm of education. Schools serve as the first platform for identifying talent from a young age. They play a crucial role in nurturing and developing aspiring athletes across various sports, with the ultimate goal of attaining greatness and achieving success at both competitive and community levels.” His Excellency emphasizes the importance of parental involvement and encourages male and female students to actively participate in school championships. “This not only instills an active lifestyle but also cultivates a professional sports culture within the minds of the youth.”

His Excellency also expressed his delight in the establishment of a national day dedicated to celebrating the achievements for athletes within the realm of sports. He said: “This Day symbolizes a significant accomplishment for UAE’s sports. It stands as a tribute to our accomplishments in 2023, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s sports landscape and underscoring the unity of purpose among athletes, organizations, and the wider sporting community. As we look forward to the upcoming stage, we aspire to reap the rewards of collaborative efforts across all sectors of the sports industry. We are committed to aligning with the wise leadership’s directives at every level of competition and within our communities.”

He added: “Today, the sports framework, guided by the wise leadership’s directives and forward-looking vision, has evolved into a more cohesive and adaptable structure. It is built on three main pillars: governance, partnership, and achievement. These pillars have led to noticeable development and achievements in the sports sector in recent times. This progress has been particularly evident since the launch of the National Sports Strategy - 2031, which serves as a comprehensive roadmap for sports in the UAE.”

H.E Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajri conveyed gratitude for the launch of the inaugural edition of the School Games Tournament by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This tournamnet plays a crucial role in promoting community and school sports, which form the basis and core of professional sports.

H.E urged all councils, committees, sports federations, and relevant authorities to actively contribute towards enhancing and empowering athletes across the nation. “This collective effort should be conducted in a productive and efficient manner, fostering close cooperation and synchronization with relevant entities. This includes partnering with organizations such as the Emirates Sports Federation for School and University Education Institutions, the UAE Sports for All Federation, and the Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Level Sports. The overarching objective is to attain notable achievements and position UAE’s sports prominently in the global arena, solidifying its standing among top-tier nations,” His Excellency said.

His Excellency added: “Sport has emerged as an important tool of nations’ soft power and a gauge of their advancement. Engaging in sports lays the foundation for fostering a robust and athletic society capable of attaining global excellence and setting an example. As we mark National Sports Day, I urge every member of society to embrace regular exercise and integrate it into their lifestyle.” His Excellency emphasized that the commemoration of the ninth edition of National Sports Day underscores the wise leadership’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant sports culture and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle across the UAE.

H.E. added: “The launching of the National Sports Strategy 2031 was a significant milestone achieved in the previous year. Numerous national sports bodies embarked on various innovative programs and efforts during the previous year. The goal of these collective endeavours was to achieve the national sports goals.” His Excellency further reviewed the major achievements in the sports industry since the strategy’s execution during the ceremony. H.E. underlined that all projects in the initial phase of the strategy were completed with an impressive overall rate of 95 per cent. Additionally, six projects were fully accomplished, while two projects reached 80 per cent completion.

Additionally, His Excellency shed light on the UAE’s Sports Law to advance a preeminent sports framework. Through its terms and conditions, this legislation governs competitive and community sports, along with the sports for the people of determination. His Excellency also emphasised the Transformation of Sports Federations project, which has been instrumental in improving the federations’ technical performance and governance.

Furthermore, the Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Level Sports, which was established in June 2023, was emphasised during the event for its efforts to further the integration of the sports system and improve UAE athletes’ qualification for Olympics. The Committee has created five programs targeted at offering assistance to elite athletes and has ranked thirty different disciplines, with an emphasis on five priority disciplines. These activities are carried out through a clearly defined set of four courses of action.

In light of the ‘Discovery of Sports Talents’ initiative, the Committee effectively ranked 504 athletes into six talent categories. Based on approved criteria, they also discovered 139 prospective sports talents. In order to enhance their prospects of representing the UAE in the next Olympics and Paralympic Games, the committee chose 23 gifted athletes from nine distinct sports and provided them with an array of extensive support programs and initiatives.

The UAE sports sector marked a remarkable milestone in the previous year by conducting a nationwide survey involving over 20,000 individuals. While the survey is still underway, the preliminary results indicate a notable increase of over 15 per cent in the number of people practicing sports in the community, as compared to the percentage recorded in 2018 where participation rate reached 43 per cent, according to World Health Organization standards. The final results of the survey will be published at a later date.

H.E. Fares Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee, highlighted the significant announcement of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee, to launch the inaugural edition of School Games Tournament. “It also underscores the dedication of the NOC and its pivotal role in nurturing talent discovery at all levels through national mechanisms, projects, and initiatives. This commitment, under the guidance of His Highness and in collaboration with the General Authority of Sports and strategic partners in the UAE’s sports sector, aims to enhance the country’s prospects for success on international podiums and in securing Olympic titles.” His Excellency also commended the initiative to designate a celebration day for the UAE’s sporting achievements, aligning with the National Sports Day.

Ali Masri Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of the UAE School and University Sports Federation said: “The launch of the first-ever School Games Tournament by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum underscores our wise leaderships commitment to promoting sports and recognizing its profound impact on students physical and mental well-being. This initiative not only fosters sportsmanship but also encourages an active lifestyle, nurturing a generation capable of extraordinary athletic achievements. Moreover, it reinforces the UAE’s global standing in the sporting arena. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners, including educational institutions, sports organizations, federations, and clubs, for their steadfast support and tireless dedication to ensuring the success of this tournament.”

Ali Masri Al Dhaheri gave a thorough overview and details about the ‘School Games’ project. This initiative serves as one of the most notable accomplishments in the UAE’s sports sector. Launched last year, the project’s pilot edition achieved tremendous success, attracting 1,719 male and female athletes from nine different athletic disciplines. These sports include archery, athletics, fencing, judo, badminton, taekwondo, swimming, jiu-jitsu, and football. In the previous edition, 316 players were crowned champions, while a total of 631 students, both male and female, made it to the finals.

Al Dhaheri further reviewed the key statistics of the current edition, which is ongoing with its second qualifying stage. The current edition of the tournament has witnessed significant growth in the number of participants. A total of 2,011 male and female students from 233 schools across different Emirates have already participated. It is projected that an additional 1,200 to 1,500 students will participate in the tournament during the remaining period of the second stage. As a result, the total number of participants in this edition of the tournament is expected to reach between 3,200 and 3,500. Additionally, this year’s tournament features a total of 10 sport disciplines, with archery being added to the existing nine sport disciplines from the trial edition.