Paralympic Committee-UAE Sports Federation bats for schools and universities to foster raw talent of students of determination

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General Authority of Sports and Secretary General of the UAE Sports Federation for School and University Education Institutions, visited the headquarters of the UAE Paralympic Committee in Sharjah. Several key issues - including finding different ways the two bodies can work in synergy in the future, strategies to increase the athletic and physical levels of students of determination at all stages and the progress and implementation of strategic plans for the next stage - were discussed during his visit.

Al Maktoum met with Mohammed Fadel Al Hameli, president of the UAE Paralympic Committee, and Dhiban Salem Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Committee, during the visit. The meeting was also attended by Safa Taryam, Executive Director of the UAE Elite and High-Level Sports Committee, along with Abdul Aziz Al-Hussan Al-Shamsi, Head of the Studies and Research Department at the Authority.

Al Maktoum said: “Our wise leadership gives great importance to people of determination and their participation in sports and provides unlimited support for talents. All Emirati athletes are proud of the achievements accomplished by people of determination, regionally and globally, displaying their dedication and love for sports. Therefore, the authority considers it a priority to provide them, the best care and empower them socially and athletically.”

He added: “The Federation pays great attention to people of determination as they represent an essential part of society in the UAE. We look forward to empowering a new generation of talented athletes who are capable of enhancing our international presence in various sports forums, in cooperation with our strategic partners - including the Paralympic Committee.”

Al Hameli expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Suahil bin Butti for his visit, stating that GAS’s efforts in the sports field is reflected in their support of people of determination and their participation in sports, and is in line with GAS’s plans to promote the discovery of new talents and develop sports at various levels.

He said: “GAS is playing a leading and influential role in providing the right environment to enhance the capabilities of athletes, improve their skills, and develop plans and programs that will achieve the set goals."

The visit included a review of projects that can be implemented in cooperation between the Federation and the Committee to ensure the acceleration of the discovery of sports talents among the people of determination as well as the development of the necessary plans to support the talented and help them reach international competitions.

The Board of Directors of the UAE Sports Federation for School and University Education Institutions held its first meeting last May to discuss several ways to discover and develop sports talents, emphasizing the importance of providing great care to people of determination and including them in the new Federation’s various projects.