Page 40 - GAS PR REPORT - MAY 2022_Neat

sports sector to for a talent discovery mechanism, paving the way for them to fulfil global
achievements.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, who heads the Federation's board of directors, said: "The new
Federation reflects the concerted national efforts by the Authority, the education sector, and
all strategic partners in strengthening the sports action system through the development of
a mechanism for discovering and empowering sports talent in schools and universities. This
is being done to support the country's sports teams with renewed talent as well as provide
the best possibilities to reach a more prosperous future for UAE sport. The Federation also
aims to strengthen coordination between various educational institutions in terms of sport."

The Federation is targeting more than 1,174,000 students in all the schools of UAE, 20 per
cent of which belong to Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, 28 per cent
from the Emirates Schools Establishment, 9 per cent from private schools in Ajman, Ras al-
Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm al Quwain, 25 per cent from the Knowledge and Human
Development Authority - Dubai, and 18 per cent from the Sharjah Education Council and
the Sharjah Private Education Authority. This reflects the large size of the target segment
across all schools, enhancing opportunities to discover highly capable sports talent.

The meeting addressed the reality of sport in 35 universities within the Federation and
discussed ways to attract other universities. The statistics for the member universities
indicated that there are 870 students who play football, 750 students, including 430 girls
who play volleyball, 720 students, including 300 girls who play basketball with an
infrastructure of 22 stadiums.

The participating universities also previously saw five sports workshops in which 451
students participated, in addition to participating in five virtual championships in the past
three years and several great achievements. The accomplishments include Maha Al Breki
earning the bronze medal in the World University Championships 2020, as well as
participating in three world championships, two of which were hosted by the UAE in 2019
and 2021.

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https://www.msn.com/en-ae/sport/other/uae-to-improve-ability-to-discover-new-sports-stars-says-
official/ar-AAXQG8R