Page 28 - MOS PR REPORT - November 2024

11/7/24, 10:34 AM Latest News

Opening ceremony of the first University Games in

Abu Dhabi draws large crowds; Leading figures

including Brazilian star Ronaldinho attends event

07/11/2024

>>H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi: “University Games represent a crucial step in the development of
Emirati sports, as schools and universities play a significant role in identifying and nurturing sports talents.”

• AED 3.4 million will be used to support athletes participating in the University Games through financial
incentives and rewards.

• The results of the draw to determine the opening matches for each team competing in the six competitions
were also announced.

• The opening ceremony was attended by several ministers and prominent sports figures in the country,
along with more than 2,500 participants and followers.
• To make the University Games more competitive and establish a robust sports environment that

strengthens the UAE's standing as a top regional and international sports destination, upcoming editions will
feature more teams and new competitions.

United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, November 6, 2024- The International Tennis Centre in Abu Dhabi Sports

City hosted the opening ceremony of the first University Games Championship on Tuesday, 05 November
2024.

The event was held in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan,
Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, His Excellency Dr.
Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human

Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, His
Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, His Excellency Issa Hilal Al Hazami,

Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi
Sports Council, H.E Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director-General of General Authority of Sports, His
Excellency Faris Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee, His Excellency Sheikh

Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Secretary-General of the Emirates Sports Federation for School and University
Education Institutions, Homaid AlShimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Corporate & Human Capital

Officer at MUBADALA, Mr Nasser Ali Al Nabhani, Managing Director of Solutions+ – MUBADALA, in addition
to many representatives from sports federations across the UAE.

The University Games are organised by the UAE School and University Sports Federation in cooperation
with Abu Dhabi Entertainment Company (ADEC), under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports. The

https://www.arabbnews.com/english/Latest-News.asp?id=17841 1/2