Inaugural School Games Conclude At Expo City With Sheikh Mansoor's Presence

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, attended the closing ceremony of the inaugural edition of the School Games at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) in Expo City Dubai. The event was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the UAE National Olympic Committee.

The UAE School and Sports Federation organised the event in partnership with the General Authority of Sports (GAS), alongside various sports federations and federal and local authorities. Sponsored by Etisalat E& as the gold sponsor, the tournament featured 2,500 students from 350 schools across the country competing for top honours.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed commended the success of the first edition of the Games and the promising performance of budding athletes. He emphasised that building a world-class sports system starts with schools, where young talents are identified, nurtured, and encouraged to realise their full potential.

Sheikh Ahmed noted that the School Games support the Olympic movement by discovering and supporting promising talent early. This aligns perfectly with the National Olympic Committee's goal of fostering a sustainable sports model for global success.

The closing ceremony was also attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, Chairman of the General Authority of Sports, and President of the UAE School and University Sports Federation, alongside several senior officials. He honoured 772 male and female students who took the top three places across various categories. In total, 1,840 students competed for podium places.

Multi-Sport Format

The School Games were organised in a multi-sport format designed for students aged 13 to 17. The competition was structured across three levels: specialised training programmes customised for students interested in various sporting disciplines, regional competitions held in each emirate, and national-level competitions where participants compete at the highest level.

Promoting Active Involvement

The Games provide a platform to promote active involvement in sports among school students across the UAE from an early age. This represents a concerted effort involving the UAE School and University Sports Federation, educational institutions, and various other sports bodies.

Operating under the oversight of the General Authority of Sports, the aim is to boost wider participation in sports, foster the development of budding Emirati athletes, and strengthen the nation’s presence on the sporting stage at regional, continental, and global levels.

With inputs from WAM