Page 31 - GAS PR REPORT - February 2023_Neat

2/14/23, 10:00 AM New training programme to discover champions - GulfToday
coaches, in cooperation with various sports federations and the Emirates
Schools Establishment.

“The focus is to unearth talent, boost sports participation, increase
competitiveness, and find stronger athletes,” said Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al
Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General
Authority of Sports.

“We also aim to create a model where there is a larger number of athletes from
whom the respective federations can benefit, and it’s open to all residents of the
UAE.

“Our priority is five sports, where the schools will work in parallel with sports
associations and federations. Judo, shooting, fencing, athletics, and archery are
Tier 1 sports, while swimming, taekwondo, and badminton are Tier 2 sports.
“Everyone will compete against each other, giving them the opportunity to be
prepared for global challenges,” Sheikh Suhail added.

The School Games include two types of programmes, a competitive programme
and a training programme.

The competitive programme is distributed across 3 levels for age groups 15-17
years old. First level includes competitions held within each school, kicking-off in
the coming weeks. Second level includes schools competing within each of the
big emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates), will take
place at the start of May. Third level, known as the national finals, will crown all
the national champions, around mid-May.

In terms of the training programme, it aims to reach out to children aged 9 to 14
by opening training centers across the UAE that cover all eight sports.

Training centres will provide the opportunity for students to train in and practice
any of the eight sports. Training centres will open up gradually starting on
Wednesday, with guardians required to register their kids on the dedicated link.

Sheikh Suhail stated that the team of centers and the electronic platform has
made tremendous efforts to ensure that the project meets the highest quality
standards in the services it provides to our students and, on the other hand, to
keep pace with all the visions and trends of the UAE government seeking global

leadership.

“The School Games will have a significant impact on the sports ecosystem in the
UAE by encouraging youth participation in sports, promoting health and
wellbeing, and identifying talents to build on for the next generation of elite
athletes,” he said.

https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2023/02/13/new-training-programme-to-discover-champions 2/3
“The newly launched initiative will also provide a wide range of communication