Dubai: The fifth UAE School Olympic Games, to be held later this year, will see a substantial increase in participation.
As per figures released by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee (UAENOC), this year’s preliminary rounds of the UAE School Olympic Games have a total of 3,430 students participating, a substantial increase of 637 students compared to last year.
Various competitions will take place in the 129 training centres, at schools spread across the country, before they go on to compete at the educational district level.
Shaikh Ahmad chaired a meeting of the UAE School Olympics Higher Organising Committee in the presence of Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge and President of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare (GAYSW) at the UAE NOC premises, late on Monday.
Shaikh Ahmad approved nine different sports: athletics, swimming, judo, taekwondo, fencing, archery, shooting, jiu-jitsu and a new discipline in badminton for the event.
At the end of the preliminary rounds, that are scheduled to be held in four age categories starting from under-8s and going up to the under-14s, as many as 1,710 students will qualify to the finals marking an increase of 260 students.
Last year’s final rounds were organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Education Council. This year’s final will most likely be held in Dubai.
“We are forever grateful to our leadership for showing us the way with their unlimited support. Our youngsters have the best platform to hone their skills at the right age, and we can safely aspire for international glory from this new breed of athletes,” Shaikh Ahmad told members of the higher organising committee.
Shaikh Ahmad challenged the higher organising committee to raise the standard with every passing edition.
“This event has come to stay as a true communication link between youngsters from various schools all over the country. We are keen to further develop and grow this event in the best interest of the UAE,” Shaikh Ahmad added.
Shaikh Nahyan also hailed the huge progress made by the UAE School Olympic Games in a short span of time.
“Today sport has scientific methods and, if we have to right strategic partners, our youngsters can surely hoist the UAE flag at the highest levels in international sport in the future,” Shaikh Nahyan said.
Meanwhile, the higher organising committee approved Dawood Al Hajri, Assistant General Secretary, UAE NOC as the Head of the Executive Office for the UAE School Olympic Games.
