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5/30/22, 9:10 AM UAE to improve their ability to spot new talent and future sports stars - Today Online Canada
The association targets more than 1,174,000 students across all UAE schools, of
which 20 percent is owned by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and
Knowledge (ADEK), 28 percent by the Emirates Schools Establishment and 9
percent by private schools in Ajman, Ras al -Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al
Quwain, 25 percent from Knowledge and Human Development Authority – Dubai
and 18 percent from Sharjah Education Council and Sharjah Private Education
Authority.

This reflects the large size of the target segment across all schools and improves
opportunities to discover highly gifted sports talent.

The meeting looked at the reality of sport at 35 universities within the federation
and discussed ways to attract other universities. Member university statistics show
that there are 870 students playing football, 750 students including 430 girls
playing volleyball, 720 students including 300 girls playing basketball, with an
infrastructure of 22 stadiums.

The participating universities have also previously seen five sports workshops
attended by 451 students, in addition to participating in five virtual championships
in the last 3 years and several great achievements.

Achievements include Maha Al Breki’s bronze medal win at the 2020 World

University Championships, as well as participation in three World Championships,
two of which were hosted by the United Arab Emirates in 2019 and 2021.

Falasi said: “The federation works to improve our national teams and expand the
talent pool from different age groups by building the spirit of sports competition
among the students and showing the important role of sports in different aspects.
This is in line with the sports sector’s Strategy 2032, which aims to increase
participation in the Olympic Games and create a suitable environment for athletes

to develop their physical abilities, as well as create a new generation that is able
is to produce sporting achievements that they can be proud of UAE regionally and
internationally.”

The federation’s Board of Directors includes Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum,
Executive Director of Sports Development Sector at the General Sports Authority;
Azza Bint Sulaiman, Deputy Secretary General for Administrative and Financial
Affairs of the National Olympic Committee; dr Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Deputy
Secretary of State for Welfare and Capacity Building at the Ministry of Education;
Mohammed Ahmed Almulla, Secretary General of Sharjah Education Council.

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