Page 56 - Ministry of Sports PR Report - October 2024

10/23/24, 9:55 AM Latest News
robust sports culture.
• A total of 1,125 male and female athletes will participate in the three primary sports, including football,

basketball and volleyball, under the guidance of more than 80 coaches, which is set to grow in the coming
years.

• The inaugural season of the UAE University Games will run from November 2024 and concluding with a
national championship matches in March 2025. The winning teams will be celebrated and awarded in April

2025.

UAE, 23 October 2024: Under the presence of H.E. Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, the Minister of Sports, the
United Arab Emirates Sports Federation for School and University Education Institutions (UAESUSF) and

Abu Dhabi Entertainment Company (ADEC) signed an agreement to launch the inaugural season of the UAE
University Games in the UAE, also Mr Nasser Ali Al Nabhani, Managing Director of Solutions+ –

MUBADALA, has witnessed the signing ceremony.
The signing, during the ‘Future of Sports Retreat’ organised by the Ministry of Sports (MoS), marks a key
milestone in the UAE’s sports sector. The project is set to become the premier competition for university

sports and attract fans and future players from around the region.

The agreement, which comes as part of the ‘Future of Sports Retreat,’ indicates a pioneering initiative in the
UAE. It will bring together diverse institutions of higher education from various parts of the country in a long-

term sports competition. The key goal of this competition is to develop a platform for recognising distinctive
athletic talents among UAE university students while instilling a sports culture. Furthermore, this initiative,

which will be held every year, aligns with the country’s progressive vision to establish an exceptional
university sports ecosystem that raises the UAE’s reputation regionally and internationally as a leading
education and sports destination.

H.E. Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Secretary General of UAESUSF, said: “The UAE University Games

is an extension of school games, which highlights the vital role of educational institutions in promoting
exceptional athletic talent in the UAE’s sports industry. These initiatives position schools and universities as

the key training grounds for aspiring students to advance their athletic capabilities. The key goal of university
games is to encourage a sports culture within universities that inspire future generations of athletes and

provides them with worthwhile opportunities to participate in challenging competitions.”

H.E. Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti added: “Additionally, the UAE University Games are committed to reinforcing the

unity of Emirati communities by encouraging common interests and social interactions for attaining the goal
outlined in the National Sports Strategy 2031. One of the goals is to raise community sports involvement to

75 per cent by 2031. These goals seamlessly complement the vision of our wise leadership to empower

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