Page 161 - MOS PR REPORT - MAY 2025

5/6/25, 10:30 AM Minister of Sports honours winners of inaugural edition o...
Bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajiri, Undersecretary of
the Ministry of Sports and Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports
Development Sector at the Ministry of Sports and Secretary-General of the UAE Sports Federation
for School and University Sports.

The event also welcomed senior figures from sports and education, including Dr Bakhit Al Kathiri,
Chief Investment Officer at Mubadala; His Excellency Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Second Vice
President of the UAE Football Association; and His Excellency Abdullah Juma Al Darmaki, President

of the UAE Volleyball Association.

The American University in Dubai (AUD) emerged as the standout performer of the competition,
capturing three titles in men’s and women’s basketball as well as women’s volleyball, earning the
prestigious ‘Overall Excellence Shield.’

The University of Sharjah followed closely, winning the men’s football and men’s volleyball titles to
secure second place overall. The University of Rochester rounded out the top three.

Speaking at the ceremony, Al Falasi hailed the Games as a key step in realising the goals of the
National Sports Strategy 2031.

He noted that the participation of more than 1,800 students from 28 universities reflected the growing

importance of university sports in shaping a healthy, active, and socially responsible generation.

He underlined the tournament’s contribution to building a sustainable sports culture that spans all
levels of education, complementing efforts such as the UAE School Games to identify and nurture
national athletic talent capable of competing at regional and global levels, including the Olympics.

Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum described the University Games as a foundational pillar in
creating a comprehensive and integrated university sports ecosystem. He praised the synergy

between academic institutions and sports federations in delivering a successful inaugural edition.

Sheikh Suhail highlighted the importance of aligning the university-level sports pathway with
international best practices and partnerships in talent development and performance analysis.

He emphasised that the tournament’s outcomes reflected effective institutional collaboration and

national integration, affirming the UAE’s broader vision of empowering Emirati youth and supporting
national teams with homegrown champions.

The first edition of the University Games brought together 1,585 students from 28 universities,
showcasing high levels of competition and enthusiasm. Organisers have expressed their intent to

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