Page 134 - 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

Ministry of Sports establishes UAE Obstacle Sports Federation
under chairmanship of H.E. Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb

H.E. Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi: The establishment of
the Federation aligns with the UAE's strategic vision to
diversify national sports, reaffirming our commitment
to developing organisational and technical frameworks
to achieve the Federation's goals.
The 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, Monday, October 6, 2025: 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

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