UAE Ministry Of Sports Launches Talent Committee Platform To Enhance Athlete Development Nationwide

The Ministry of Sports has introduced the "Talent Committee Platform," a national initiative managed by the UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support (UAETSS). This platform aims to revolutionise how sporting talent is identified and nurtured throughout the country. The announcement took place at a ceremony in Dubai, attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, alongside other notable figures.

Dr. Al Falasi emphasised that this launch is a significant step towards creating an intelligent and sustainable sports system. "The platform supports early-stage talent identification through structured development pathways, digital governance and partnerships. It connects schools, academies, clubs and federations, creating a national framework for performance enhancement and athlete discovery," he said.

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum highlighted the platform's importance in the Ministry’s digital transformation efforts. He stated that it integrates analytics with technical assessments to provide tailored development pathways. "It ensures fair and transparent evaluation, while offering tools to monitor progress and support athletes’ academic and sporting development," he said.

The platform is currently in its pilot phase, with a public launch scheduled for early July. During the ceremony, 58 athletes were announced as the first group to join the platform. These athletes were selected through rigorous evaluations involving federations and scouts across 13 sports disciplines.

Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri expressed gratitude to all sponsors and supporters of this initiative. He stressed their vital role in empowering athletes and strengthening the national sports ecosystem. The event concluded with the Sports Giving Award ceremony, recognising key supporters of UAETSS.

The gold-tier supporters include prominent organisations such as MAIR Group, Industries, Al Waha Capital, Dolphin Energy Limited, among others. Silver-tier supporters feature companies like Etisalat, Lulu Group, Aldar Properties, while bronze-tier supporters include individuals like Sadiq Fath Al Khaja and Rashid Mubarak Al Hajri.

Selection Process for Athletes

Athlete selection followed two main tracks: direct nominations by federations and scouting during School Games finals. Advanced digital tools from PlayerMaker and Precision Football supported this process. A presentation at the event detailed how the platform contributes to national sports development.

The UAETSS was established in 2021 to play a pivotal role in developing athletic talent through collaboration with sports federations, clubs, and academic institutions. Its strategic objectives focus on enhancing talent identification processes and providing access to top-notch training opportunities.

The platform serves as a central hub for all stakeholders within the sports ecosystem—athletes, coaches, scouts, clubs, and educational institutions alike. Integrated with Sportifai from the Ministry of Sports, it facilitates real-time performance tracking using data-driven insights for transparent athlete evaluation.

This initiative aligns with the National Sports Strategy 2031 by aiming to increase Emirati athletes' participation in Olympic Games events. Dr. Al Falasi noted that establishing a sustainable system for identifying talent at competitive levels remains a priority.

With inputs from WAM