Page 83 - MOS PR REPORT - MAY 2025

5/26/25, 3:44 PM Second edition of UAE School Games concludes on successfu...
The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; Issa Hilal Al
Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; hanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the
Ministry of Sports; Mohammed Hamza Al Qassim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education;
Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and
Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports; Aisha Miran, Director General of Dubai’s Knowledge and
Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dr. Huda Al Matroushi, President of the UAE Modern
Pentathlon Federation; 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, Falasi honoured the 1,365 male and female students
who emerged as victors in various competitions from among 2,686 finalists.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, emphasised 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."

He further emphasised 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.”

He 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 far and emphasized the importance of continued efforts to establish school sports as a

strong foundation for the long-term development of athletes. He noted that this ongoing dedication is
essential for cultivating a new generation of athletes who will enhance the UAE’s standing in the
international sports arena.

The finals showcased intense competition among students aged 9 to 17, representing 875 schools
from various emirates across the UAE. Participants competed in 12 sports disciplines, including
athletics, swimming, fencing, badminton, judo, taekwondo, archery, football, jiu-jitsu, shooting, chess,
and table tennis.

The competition concluded with a celebratory awards ceremony, honoring the top three performers in
each sport. A total of 1,365 students received gold, silver, and bronze medals in recognition of their
outstanding achievements.

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