Page 76 - MOC PR REPORT - OCT 2025

10/24/25, 11:44 AM Sports Coordination Council holds second meeting of 2025 to enhance coordination and strengthen national sports ecosystem
The Ministry of Sports reviewed the final preparations for the third edition of the UAE School Games, which will
feature the addition of Obstacle Course Racing alongside 12 other sports. The event will also expand participation to
include students aged under 9 to 19 years, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Sports Council,
Dubai Sports Council, and several federal and local partners. According to the timeline, registration opens on October
13, with the finals scheduled for May, following qualification rounds running from January to February.

University Games

The Ministry also highlighted updates on the second edition of the University Games, which will include Obstacle
Course Racing in addition to three team sports: football, volleyball, and basketball. The event expects around 2,700
students from 47 universities, competing in over 700 matches to date (excluding obstacle course figures, as
registration has not yet opened). The league stage began in October and will continue through February, followed by
the playoffs from March 30 to April 26, culminating in the crowning of champions at the end of the academic year.

Talent Committee Platform

The UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support presented the achievements of its Talent Committee Platform, the
nation's first digital platform dedicated to identifying and developing talented athletes. To date, 1,169 athletes have
created personal profiles, 307 have submitted official applications, and 126 were invited to the first assessment
camp, which saw participation from 101 athletes across 22 different sports. The platform serves as a comprehensive
national database for physical activity and athletic performance, enabling the tracking and scientific evaluation of
athletes under the supervision of international scouts.

National Sport Talent Schools (NSTS)

The Ministry also presented the ‘National Sports Talent Schools' initiative (NSTS), launched in collaboration with the
Ministry of Education, which aims to transform government school complexes into comprehensive sports training
centers after school hours. These centers will welcome students of all nationalities and backgrounds, promoting
community participation through recreational sports hubs and embedding sports as a core pillar of student well-being.
The initiative seeks to establish clear pathways for identifying and nurturing national talent and raising the competitive
level of student athletes.

UAE National Olympic Committee: Strengthening Institutional Integration

In conclusion, the UAE National Olympic Committee (NOC) outlined its plans to host the headquarters of 23 national
sports federations, as well as three Asian federations (Rugby, Karate, and Badminton) and two Arab federations
(Basketball and Rugby). The NOC has also allocated shared offices for federations without premises and meeting
halls for general assemblies and workshops, all provided free of charge. The NOC will cover all logistical costs,
underscoring its commitment to supporting national sports federations, providing a professional working environment,
and enhancing institutional coordination and performance across the UAE's sports ecosystem.Top of FormBottom of
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Moreover, attendees emphasised the importance of coordination between all relevant parties to achieve institutional
integration. They also underscored the importance of fostering an integrated and sustainable sports ecosystem,
which can help advance the National Sports Strategy 2031 and enhance the UAE's pioneering role in the regional
and global sports domain.

The Sports Coordination Council aims to align and integrate various strategies, policies, and programmes of the
sports sector to enhance the UAE's global sports competitiveness, propose necessary solutions and
recommendations, coordinate and synergise efforts between various sports entities and host major sports events to
promote the sector's sustainable growth. The Council also plays a role in proposing initiatives and sports

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