Page 60 - MOS PR REPORT FEBRUARY 2026

2/11/26, 10:25 AM Sports Coordination Council holds 1st meeting of 2026
UAE: The Sports Coordination Council held its first meeting of 2026, which was presided over by H.E.
Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, and attended by several senior sports officials and
representatives of the federal and local government entities that are members of the Council.

During the meeting, the UAE National Olympic Committee (NOC) reviewed regulations governing the

legal formation of a central elections committee as well as a unified committee for electoral appeals.

During its presentation, the NOC highlighted the significance of unified regulations for electoral
procedures, as well as the approved regulatory framework that governs the formation and working
mechanism of a unified committee for electoral appeals, serving as the standard reference

framework for sports federations across the UAE. This helps advance the principles of integrity, equal
opportunity, and procedural fairness in line with internationally recognised Olympic standards.

The presentation also underscored how these regulations align with the best international practices,
the Olympic Charter provisions, the regulations of international sports federations, the UAE National
Olympic Committee's statutes, and national laws and approved governance frameworks. This

ensures both institutional autonomy and good administration of the sports electoral system.

The Council also discussed the UAE’s participation in the Winter Olympic Games, being hosted by
the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from 6 to 22 February. The members highlighted the
significance of this historic first-time participation, serving as a clear reflection of the remarkable

progress achieved by the national sports ecosystem. It further contributes to strengthening the
national Olympic movement by driving participation in various Olympic categories. In this edition of
the Olympics, the UAE is being represented by athletes Alexander Astridge and Piera Hudson,
competing in alpine skiing events.

During the meeting, H.E. Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry and

the NOC to steadfastly supporting athletes and relevant federations, enabling them to represent the
UAE at international sports platforms and Olympic forums. He also wished the participating athletes’
success, hoping for outcomes that reflect the UAE’s thriving sports ecosystem and add to its
impressive record of achievements.

H.E. emphasized the Council’s role as an effective platform for member entities to exchange insights
and plans. He further stated that by enhancing coordination between various sports organisations
and partners throughout the UAE, the Council seeks to facilitate the transition from fragmented work
within the sports sector to an integrated national ecosystem.

Also, Al Falasi stated: “To ensure that all efforts are unified and integrated, and to leverage the skills

of each emirate, we are focusing on exploring and coordinating sporting agendas across the UAE.
We are committed to contributing towards achieving the goals of the 2026 ‘Year of Family,’ and
constantly supporting community initiatives that foster a culture of sports among society and ensure
seamless access to sports for all family members across the UAE.”

In turn, H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, highlighted the
importance of discussing the regulations governing the formation of election committees and
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