UAE National Olympic Committee Announces Participation In Asian Youth And Islamic Solidarity Games

The UAE National Olympic Committee has revealed the country's plans for the upcoming 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, scheduled from 22nd to 31st October, and the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia, taking place from 7th to 21st November. This announcement was made at a press conference held at the Committee's headquarters in Dubai, attended by sports federation representatives and media.

Ahmed Al Tayeb, Director of Technical and Sports Affairs at the Committee, shared greetings from Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the Committee. He detailed that the UAE delegation will join 5,000 athletes from 45 countries competing in 24 sports across 253 events at the Asian Youth Games. The UAE will participate in 18 sports including handball, basketball (3x3), equestrian (show jumping and endurance), athletics, swimming, road cycling, boxing, muay thai, weightlifting, triathlon, taekwondo, table tennis, camel racing, badminton, golf, judo, jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts.

The UAE's participation in these games is significant as it marks a historic moment with endurance equestrian, jiu-jitsu and muay thai included for the first time. Al Tayeb described this as a milestone reflecting the rapid development of Asian sport while enhancing cultural and sporting exchange. The Games serve as a qualifying pathway to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and provide a platform to discover promising talent.

The UAE delegation for the Asian Youth Games will consist of 152 athletes: 107 men and 45 women. These athletes are aged between 14–18 years old. The event offers them vital international exposure to boost confidence and support both sporting and personal growth. The UAE handball team will start its campaign on 19th October against Kazakhstan.

The Committee also outlined details for participation in the Islamic Solidarity Games hosted again by Saudi Arabia after its inaugural edition in 2005. Over 3,000 athletes from 57 nations are expected to compete. The UAE has participated in every edition of these games and consistently secured medals.

This year’s delegation for the Islamic Solidarity Games will include 96 athletes: 64 men and 32 women. They will compete in various sports such as judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, muay thai, taekwondo, athletics (including events for People of Determination), swimming, equestrian events like fencing and weightlifting alongside table tennis e-sports camel racing among others.

Strategic Focus on Future Competitions

Nasser Al Tamimi emphasized that these competitions are crucial for nurturing young talent while enhancing competitive experience. He noted that these objectives align with the Committee’s mission to reinforce Olympic values through cooperation with national sports organisations.

Al Tamimi explained that about a year ago they reviewed their strategy focusing on athletes born between specific years targeting future competitions like Dakar 2026 Los Angeles Olympics ensuring talent identification intensive training participation refining skills performance among UAE athletes.

Past Achievements

The UAE aims for its first medal since debuting at Singapore's Asian Youth Games back in '09 marking an important milestone motivating future generations towards success within this competition realm.

In previous editions of Islamic Solidarity Games UAE won total twenty-three medals majority secured during recent Konya Türkiye edition where cyclist Ahmed Al Mansoori achieved nation’s first-ever gold track scratch race victory adding another feather cap national achievements list.

With inputs from WAM