Mansoor bin Mohammed attends closing of inaugural School Games at Expo City

- Held under the patronage of Ahmed bin Mohammed, event witnesses 772 students claiming the top three prizes across various categories

- Applauding the success of the first edition of the Games, Ahmed bin Mohammed emphasises that building a world-class sports system starts with discovering and nurturing top talent in schools

• The Championship finals witnessed enthralling competitions between 2,500 students from 350 Schools in the 13-17 age group from 350 schools across various emirates

• During the final day, 240 gold medal, 240 silver medal, and 292 bronze medal winners were honoured for finishing in the top three

•The school games sought to provide a favourable and competitive sports environment that stimulates talent development, social cohesion as well as national identity among students, thereby creating a new generation of Emirati champions

•In order to achieve the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031, the winners of championship are asked to participate in specialised tests and training programs, which will prepare them to represent the UAE in international forums

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, attended the closing ceremony of the inaugural edition of the School Games held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) in Expo City Dubai. The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the UAE National Olympic Committee.

The UAE School and Sports Federation organised the event in partnership with the General Authority of Sports (GAS) besides various sports federations and federal and local authorities. Sponsored by Etisalat E& as the gold sponsor, the tournament featured 2,500 students from 350 schools across the country competing for top honours.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed commended the success of the first edition of the Games, and the promising performance of budding athletes. He emphasised that building a world-class sports system starts with schools, where young talents are identified, nurtured, and encouraged to realise their full potential.

Sheikh Ahmed said that the School Games also help in supporting the Olympic movement by helping discover and support promising talent early, aligning perfectly with the National Olympic Committee's goal of fostering a sustainable sports model for global success.

The closing ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, Chairman of the General Authority of Sports, and President of the UAE School and University Sports Federation, alongside a number of senior officials. His Excellency honoured 772 male and female students who took the top three places across various categories. In all 1,840 students competed for podium places.

During his speech at the ceremony, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi congratulated the winning and participating students in the UAE School Games, underscoring the significance of the games in enhancing the spirit of sportsmanship among the youth of the UAE. “Winning and excelling in the UAE School Games offers more than just a chance to claim rewards and accolades. It serves as a platform for cultivating character, fostering social connections, and imbibing the essence of teamwork and fair play. Schools play a significant role in honing athletic abilities and serve as the bedrock for sports development in the UAE. Through school sports, we strive to cultivate exceptional sports personalities across diverse fields, elevating UAE’s sporting prowess on the global stage. This endeavor contributes to achieving the objectives outlined in the National Sports Strategy 2031,” His Excellency said.

His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi added: “The UAE School Games underscores the wise leadership's commitment to nurturing the youth and placing sports at the forefront of its future trajectory. The success of the games reflects the collaborative efforts between the sports and education sectors in developing and inspiring students to enrich their sporting culture, uncovering and nurturing their athletic abilities. This aligns seamlessly with their educational and academic journey, preparing them to proudly represent the UAE on diverse continental and global sports stages, striving for excellence and waving the UAE flag high in the global sports arena.”

Transition from Schools to Professionalism

Multi-sport format

In a multi-sport format designed for students aged 13 to 17, the School Games were organised across three levels, beginning with specialised training programmes customised for students taking an interest in various sporting disciplines. Following on from this, regional competitions are held in each emirate, which ultimately culminate in national-level competitions where participants compete at the highest level.

Following this, the winners of the School Games were invited to take part in the activities scheduled by the Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Level Sports. These activities involved assessments and enhancement programs for athletes, with a focus on evaluating their speed, strength, potential, endurance, and body measurements (height and weight). Subsequently, the athletes received personalised educational and training programs, while their development was monitored by the Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Level Sports, together with corresponding sports federations. This collaboration sought to prepare them to represent the UAE in international competitions, thereby contributing to the attainment of the objectives outlined in the National Sports Strategy 2031.

Exemplary Models

The School Games has showcased inspiring sportsmanship from young, talented Emirati athletes who have excelled in representing the UAE in various continental and international tournaments. Among the UAE fencing team were the remarkable fencers Al-Hayam Al-Balushi and Fares Al Balushi, who showcased exceptional performances and won the gold medal at the 2024 Asian Junior Fencing Championship in Bahrain, where he was crowned champion of Asia Cadets in the saber discipline. He also demonstrated impressive performance while competing in the 2024 Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championship in Saudi Arabia, as well as the 2023 Junior and Cadet Fencing World Championship held in Bulgaria in 2023.

The freestyle swimmers of the UAE team, Maha and Mahra Al Shehhi, had also showcased their exceptional skills in swimming at both the 2023 Asian Games and the 2022 Islamic Solidarity Games. Accompanying them was Mira Al Shehhi, a rising champion in freestyle and butterfly swimming.

Tournament’s Main Objectives

The tournament emphasised the importance of both individual and team sports activities in schools. The objective of School Games was to foster a competitive and dynamic setting that nurtures talents, fosters social unity, strengthens national identity, and cultivates a sense of belonging among students. It also promoted the principles of competitiveness by incorporating sports into the curriculum and encouraging students to lead an active lifestyle. This plays a crucial role in shaping a new generation of accomplished Emirati champions.

The School Games trial edition was introduced last year and saw enthusiastic participation from students. This success prompted the expansion of the event’s scope this year, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of sports activities, schools, and overall participants. Notably, the previous edition welcomed over 148 promising talents, with the Emirates Committee for Elite Sports and High-Level Sports currently focused on monitoring and nurturing them through specialised training programs that adhere to the best international practices. These strategic efforts align with the ultimate goal of representing the United Arab Emirates in regional and global championships.