Page 149 - MOS PR REPORT - OCT 2025

10/7/25, 9:40 AM Ministry of Sports establishes UAE Obstacle Sports Federation under chairmanship of H.E. Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb - Middle…
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.

His Excellency added: “Moving forward, we will focus on strengthening cooperation with regional
federations and the The Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO). This is to foster strategic

partnerships and exchange expertise, supporting the UAE’s broader sports development goals.”

Across the UAE, this sports category has seen remarkable growth, with 52 registered events held

nationwide last year. Recent statistics indicate that approximately 9,000 citizens and residents actively
practise this sport, which led to the decision of creating a national federation to oversee its development.

Notably, Dubai hosted the World Obstacle Championship in December 2024, organised by Dubai Police
at Dubai Police Officer’s Club and Dubai Design District (D3). The event garnered widespread public
interest, participation, and international acclaim due to its meticulous organisation and immense

competition.

Obstacle races feature natural or artificial barriers that athletes must overcome in the shortest possible

time. Competitions are held across male, female, and mixed categories, across individual, pairs, and four-
person race types. In addition, the sport is gaining widespread popularity across the Gulf and Arab world,
with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Kuwait, and Bahrain establishing national
federations dedicated to its development.

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