Photo: GULF NEWS
Dubai, UAE – The third edition of the UAE School Games officially began on January 12, bringing together 7,096 students from 518 public and private schools across the country in one of the nation’s largest school sports initiatives.
The championship is organised by the UAE Schools and University Sports Federation (UAESUSF) in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Education, the National Olympic Committee, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Dubai Sports Council, the Sharjah Sports Council, and a number of strategic partners. The event forms part of a national framework designed to strengthen the sporting ecosystem and expand opportunities for young athletes to achieve success at regional and international levels.
Two Phases, 13 Sports
This year’s competition features 13 individual and team sports, delivered across two phases during the academic year.
The first phase, running from January 12 to February 10, includes football, athletics, archery, badminton, laser run, and table tennis, alongside the debut of obstacle course racing. The introduction of this new discipline aims to diversify the programme, reflect students’ interests, and encourage wider participation in sport.
The second phase will take place from April 1 to April 30 and will feature chess, fencing, judo, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, and swimming.
Students who qualify from both phases will progress to the national finals, with the competition concluding in a closing ceremony and awards presentation on May 23, 2026. The top three performers in each category will receive gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Developing Future Champions
Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports and President of UAESUSF, described the School Games as a major milestone in the development of school sports in the UAE.
He highlighted that the programme plays a key role in promoting physical fitness, developing athletic skills, and instilling the values of fair competition, discipline, and teamwork among students. He also reaffirmed that the initiative is central to national efforts to identify and nurture young sporting talent, supporting the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031.
One of the strategy’s key targets is to increase the number of UAE athletes qualifying for the Olympic Games to more than 30 by the 2032 Olympics.
Proven Impact
Previous editions of the School Games have already demonstrated significant impact. Across the first two editions and the pilot programme, nearly 12,166 male and female students participated, with 1,928 champions recognised.
In collaboration with the UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support and Elite Sport UAE, winners undergo detailed performance assessments and receive tailored training programmes supported by advanced technologies and internationally specialised teams. These pathways aim to guide talented students toward elite sport in line with global best practices.
Building a Sporting Culture
Sheikh Suhail added that the continued success of the School Games reflects the strong commitment of national institutions to integrating sport into education and encouraging children and young people to adopt active lifestyles.
Through its scale, structure, and long-term vision, the UAE School Games continues to play a central role in shaping the next generation of athletes while strengthening the country’s sporting culture from the grassroots level.
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