Page 14 - MOS PR REPORT - AUGUST 2025

Press Release

UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support includes

drift driver Khalifa Al Falasi in its dedicated programs aimed at

providing comprehensive support for young sport talent

19 August 2025- The UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support (UAETSS), a key
entity under the UAE Ministry of Sports, has onboarded young Emirati car racer Khalifa Al Falasi
into its dedicated programs aimed at supporting and nurturing sports talent across the country.
Khalifa Al Falasi is the first and youngest professional Emirati drift racing driver to qualify for the
FIA Intercontinental Drift Cup, which is scheduled to take place from October 2 to 5, 2025, in
Latvia.

The inclusion of Khalifa Al Falasi into UAETSS’ programs marks a pivotal step in its efforts to
identify high-potential athletes, nurture their skills and empower them to achieve exceptional sport
milestones at both regional and global levels.

His Excellency Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Under-Secretary for the
Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector and Chairman of the UAETSS, met with Al
Falasi at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dubai. H. E. reaffirmed that talent discovery and
development are fundamental priorities for the Ministry, forming key pillars for building an
outstanding generation of athletes who can represent the country in regional and international
events. This aligns with the goal to reinforce the UAE’s position as a nurturing and supporting
destination for talents and sustainable sporting excellence.

H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum further emphasised that UAETSS makes constant efforts
to recognise and cultivate sport talents across various sports disciplines in the UAE. It offers
comprehensive technical and administrative support, along with funding and training programs for
honing their skills and empowering them. These efforts aim to establish an integrated ecosystem
that promotes constant athlete development, enabling them to reach the professional elite level and
compete internationally within a sustainable and professional environment. He added, “The
onboarding of the young Emirati drift driver Khalifa Al Falasi is a testament to the Ministry’s
commitment to nurture young sports talents and invest in human capital, in line with the directives
of our wise leadership to boost the competitiveness of Emirati sports and reinforce its international
presence.”

Khalifa Al Falasi, who is 17 years old, is the first professional Emirati driver to compete in FIA’s
global championship and he is also the youngest driver in the competition’s history. He is