Page 132 - MOS PR REPORT - OCT 2025

10/7/25, 9:39 AM Ministry of Sports establishes UAE Obstacle Sports Federation under chairmanship of H.E. Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb
he first step to promoting obstacle sports, expanding participation and identifying new talents
is including it in the upcoming editions of school and university games.
H.E. Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb: We aim to build an integrated institutional ecosystem that
promotes obstacle sports regionally while attracting international championships to enhance the

UAE’s reputation in this domain.

UAE: The Ministry of Sports established the UAE Obstacle Sports Federation, the official governing
body responsible for organising and developing this sport. Its aim is to promote the sport within the UAE,
highlighting its competitive nature that combines physical fitness, endurance and mental skills, paving

the way for international recognition.

Obstacle sports such as OCR, Adventure, Ninja, Callisthenics, and Obstacle Racing are practised
across over 77 countries worldwide, including 30 Asian nations. There are four federations for this sport
within the continent, all operating under the umbrella of the International Obstacle Sports Federation,
headquartered in Switzerland.

His Excellency Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, extended his best wishes for the success
of the Federation’s Board of Directors, under the leadership of H.E. Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb. He
further stated that the Federation’s establishment marks a key milestone in strengthening the UAE’s
sports sector, in line with the Ministry’s efforts to diversify national sports, offer athletes new avenues for

competition, and promote wider community participation to foster a healthy and active society.

His Excellency also reaffirmed the Ministry of Sports’ commitment to supporting the Federation, so that it
can foster an advanced organisational and technical ecosystem that identifies, develops, and nurtures
talent, while hosting international championships to enhance the UAE’s pioneering stature in the global
sports domain. H.E. Dr Al Falasi added that the initial steps to promote this unique sports category are

already underway, with its inclusion in upcoming editions of school and university games. This
underscores the importance of investing in a new generation of athletes capable of competing and
excelling in a wide range of sports.

H.E. Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb, President of the UAE Obstacle Sports Federation, on behalf of the

Federation’s Board of Directors, extended his sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and H.E. Dr Al
Falasi, stating: “We are deeply honoured by the trust placed in us to lead the Federation following its
official establishment. We look forward to building a comprehensive institutional framework that
promotes obstacle sports across all segments of Emirati society, enhancing their physical fitness and

nurturing talents who can represent the UAE at international platforms.”

His Excellency also said that the Federation will work closely with the Ministry of Sports and relevant
entities to organise local, regional, and international tournaments in line with global standards,
supported by the sport’s rapid growth.

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