Page 17 - MOS PR REPORT - MAY 2025

Press Release

The closing ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; H.E. Issa Hilal

Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of

the Ministry of Sports; H.E. Mohammed Hamza Al Qassim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education;

H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and

Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports; H.E. Aisha Miran, Director General of Dubai’s Knowledge

and Human Development Authority (KHDA), H.E. Dr. Huda Al Matroushi, President of the UAE Modern

Pentathlon Federation; H.E. Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation.; along with

several presidents of national sports federations and officials from the nation’s sports and education sectors

and related fields. During the ceremony, H.E. Al Falasi honored the 1,365 male and female students who

emerged as victors in various competitions from among 2,686 finalists.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, emphasized the crucial role that the UAE School Games

Championship plays in shaping the future of sports in the country. His Excellency stated: "It serves as a platform

for identifying and nurturing young talent from an early age. This initiative reflects our dedication to integrating

sports into the school environment, encouraging healthy competition, and instilling core values such as

discipline, teamwork, and national belonging in our youth. Throughout the championship, we have seen

remarkable examples of emerging talents that signal a bright future for Emirati sports."

His Excellency further emphasized that the School Games reflect a comprehensive model of collaboration

between the sports and education sectors, aligning with the UAE’s vision to closely integrate athletics within

the academic space. He said: “We are committed to implementing systematic programs for talent identification

in partnership with the UAE National Olympic Committee. These efforts are central to achieving one of our key

strategic objectives—to have over 30 Emirati athletes compete in the Olympic Games by 2032. We are already

making strong progress toward achieving this ambition.”

His Excellency expressed his gratitude to all partners, including educational and sports organizations, as well

as parents, for their vital role in the championship's success. He conveyed pride in the achievements made so

2