Page 24 - MOS PR REPORT - January 2025

1/15/25, 9:41 AM Latest News
This year, the championship will include table tennis and chess for the first time, following a survey
conducted by the UAE Sports Federation for School and University Education Institutions among

participating schools. Furthermore, expanded age categories will ensure broader student participation across
all levels.

His Excellency Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Secretary-General of the UAE Sports Federation for the
Institutions of School and University Education, said: “The School Games exemplify the Ministry of Sports’

dedication to fostering sports as a strong foundation for developing national athletes. It plays a crucial role in
achieving the objectives outlined in the National Sports Strategy 2031, notably the goal of having over 30

Emirati players who qualify for the 2032 Summer Olympics.”
His Excellency added: “Schools are pivotal in nurturing the next generation of professional athletes across
diverse sporting disciplines. The School Games serve as a vital platform, expanding opportunities for Emirati

athletes to excel on the global stage. This aligns perfectly with the wise leadership’s vision to develop young
talent across all sectors, with a particular focus on sports. The goal is to foster a generation of highly skilled

athletes capable of achieving remarkable success at the Olympic, continental, and international levels.”
The UAE School Games has experienced significant growth and success, with a notable increase in the
number of participants since its trial edition. The First edition of this championship attracted over 3,500

student participants, marking a substantial increase from its trial edition. Notably, female participation has
surged, with their participation rates reaching 62 per cent in badminton, 52 per cent in archers, 70 per cent in

laser shooters, and 52 per cent in taekwondo. This demonstrates the championship’s strong commitment to
empowering female athletes and providing them with a platform to excel in sports.

Student participation surged in the second and third levels of the championship, soaring from 1,681 in the
trial edition to over 3,500 in the first official edition. Female participation significantly increased, nearly tripling

from 629 to 1,619 students. In its previous editions, the championship boasted a wide range of participants,
with approximately 51 per cent from private schools and 49 per cent from government schools. Regarding
diversity, 56 per cent of the participants were UAE citizens, 25 per cent were Asian nationalities, 13 per cent

were Arab expatriates, and 6 per cent represented European and other nationalities.
The championship has several key phases throughout the academic year. the registration period, began last

October and concluded in January 2025. During this period, all organisational tasks were completed,
including distributing circulars to both public and private schools, coordinating meetings with partners,

informing schools about participation criteria, selecting venues for the preliminary competitions, and
registering participating students. The first phase, which is currently in progress, with students engaging in

training and competitive programs at the school level across various sports in all Emirates. The second
phase, which will take place from February to mid-April, will see students competing at the regional level in
each Emirate.

The championship will culminate in May with students, who successfully advanced from the second stage,
competing for finals at the state level. Winners of the first three places will be awarded gold, silver, and

bronze medals.

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