Page 164 - MOS PR REPORT - MAY 2025

Football Association; and Abdullah Juma Al Darmaki, President of the UAE Volleyball Association.

The American University in Dubai 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, Dr. Ahmad Belhoul 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
build on this momentum in future editions, solidifying university sports as a cornerstone of the
UAE’s sporting and youth development landscape.

https://en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4572148/minister-of-sports-honours-winners-of-inaugural-
edition-of-u