Page 80 - MOS PR REPORT FEBRUARY 2026

2/12/26, 10:27 AM Sports Coordination Council holds 1st meeting of 2026 to exchange visions, plans and unify efforts to advance the sports dev…
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 electoral appeals committees, noting that this reflects the
commitment of those responsible for the sports system to uphold the principles of good
governance, enhance transparency, and ensure equal opportunities within the
institutional sports framework in the UAE.

Further, H.E. affirmed that unifying the regulatory frameworks and adhering to the
approved laws and legislations, in full compliance with the Sports Law in the UAE and its
executive regulations, has a significant impact on improving performance efficiency and
achieving institutional excellence across all sports entities, thereby contributing to driving
comprehensive development in the national sports sector.

For his part, H.E. Faris Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the UAE National Olympic
Committee, remarked that robust institutional integration and continued coordination
among relevant entities within the UAE’s sports ecosystem are key to advancing the
strategic objectives of the national Olympic movement. This will also help elevate the
nation’s stature as an exemplary model in upholding the principles of autonomy, good
governance and transparency, ensuring seamless alignment with the Olympic Charter
and other international mandates.

H.E. highlighted that the UAE National Olympic Committee, in coordination with the
Ministry of Sports and all members of the Sports Coordination Council, remains
committed to laying a strong foundation for the national Olympic movement by
developing institutional frameworks and strengthening the implementation of good
governance principles. This is pivotal to preserving the autonomy of sports organisations,
while also ensuring strict compliance with relevant national legislation and international
rules.

Also, the Council discussed several other topics on its agenda. Attendees highlighted the
significance of constant coordination and integration among various member entities,
further promoting the concept of joint institutional work, achieving the desired impact,
and ensuring the continued development of an integrated and sustainable sports
ecosystem. This helps achieve the goals of the UAE National Sports Strategy 2031 and
strengthens the UAE’s position as a leader in sports on a regional and global level.

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