Ministry of Sports launches Talent Committee Platform to nurture athletes

Dubai: A new Talent Committee Platform announced by the Ministry of Sports will help nurture young athletes in the UAE and help them develop into professionals.

Serving as a unified access point for all stakeholders in the sports ecosystem, including athletes, parents, coaches, scouts, clubs, federations, and educational institutions, the platform, an initiative overseen by the UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support (UAETSS), offers easy access to a comprehensive and accurate database.

The platform is fully integrated with the Ministry’s recently launched ‘Sportifai’ digital platform, enabling real-time, data-driven monitoring of athletes’ performance and growth. This integration supports transparent and objective assessments of both technical skills and physical development of the athletes.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, said: “The introduction of the ‘Talent Committee Platform’ represents a major milestone in establishing an intelligent, integrated sports ecosystem - one that can identify promising talent from an early stage and support their growth through structured development programmes driven by data, digital governance, and partnership. This platform not only offers advanced digital tools but also creates a comprehensive national framework that links schools, academies, clubs, and federations. Using digital governance, it streamlines talent identification and development processes, enhances overall performance, and makes access to emerging athletic potential across the UAE easier.

“Recognising talent from a young age is fundamental to shaping elite athletes and is the central factor in achieving success in Olympics and international competitions. This project will significantly contribute to the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031 by increasing the number of Emirati athletes qualifying for the Olympic Games. Our current priority is to establish a sustainable national system that not only identifies promising talent but also supports their growth toward the highest standards of competitive performance,” he added.

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector and Chairman of the UAETSS, said: “This new platform is a key component of the Ministry’s broader digital transformation strategy. It plays a central role in the talent discovery system by integrating digital analytics, data, and technical assessments with personalised talent development pathways. With the aid of advanced technology and a well-defined strategic vision, the platform lays the foundation for a sustainable national system to discover and develop talent, while enhancing the competitiveness of UAE sports and reinforcing its presence on the global stage.

“The platform plays a crucial role in creating a unified, science-based framework for talent evaluation, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the selection process. It offers advanced analytical tools to track development and performance metrics, enabling informed decisions on the qualification and advancement of athletes at every stage. By providing an integrated environment that includes technical support, training camps, opportunities for local and international competition, and academic guidance, the platform ensures that the athletes see a balanced growth, both in sports and academic careers.”

A total of 58 outstanding athletic talents were also selected as the first batch of athletes to join the platform and benefit from the Committee’s official support programmes. These talents were chosen following a rigorous evaluation process conducted in collaboration with sports federations and specialized scouts. They represent 13 different sports, including: badminton (12 athletes), swimming (7), archery (7), taekwondo (6), athletics (5), chess (5), rowing and sailing (4), fencing (3), shooting (2), golf (2), football (2), table tennis (2), and triathlon (1 athlete).