ABU DHABI: The UAE School Games, under the patronage of Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, are set to start in the last week of January 2025.
This prestigious national event will bring together students from both public and private schools across the Emirates, reinforcing the country’s commitment to nurturing young athletic talent.
The UAE School Games are part of a broader initiative to promote physical activity and encourage healthy lifestyles among the youth.
UAE School Games 2025
This year’s event will feature 12 sports, including football, swimming, athletics, and judo, along with new additions such as table tennis and chess. These new sports were introduced following a survey conducted by the UAE Sports Federation for the Institutions of School and University Education, responding to students’ interests and broadening the competition.
Alongside these new sports, the 2025 edition also introduces expanded age categories. This expansion ensures even greater inclusivity, offering more opportunities for students of all levels to participate and compete. This broader scope is expected to increase participation and engagement, providing young athletes across the UAE with a platform to showcase their skills.
Building the future of UAE sports
The UAE School Games are pivotal to the nation’s ambitions of developing future Olympians. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Secretary-General of the UAE Sports Federation for the Institutions of School and University Education, highlighted the Games' role within the UAE’s National Sports Strategy 2031. He stressed that these games are integral in developing Emirati athletes who aspire to compete in the 2032 Summer Olympics.
"The School Games reflect the Ministry of Sports’ commitment to laying a strong foundation for developing national athletes," said Sheikh Suhail. "This initiative is key to ensuring the UAE’s continued success in sports, producing athletes capable of excelling at the highest international levels."
As the 2025 edition gets underway, students are currently engaged in the first phase, with training and competitions taking place at school levels across all Emirates. From February to mid-April, regional competitions will determine the top athletes, who will advance to the state finals in May.
The registration process for this edition, which began in October 2024 and concluded in January 2025, was supported by close coordination with schools, distribution of circulars, and partner meetings to ensure that all students were informed about participation requirements.
The competition will culminate in May with state-level finals, where the top athletes will compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals. A grand ceremony will celebrate the winners, marking a highlight in the UAE’s sporting calendar.
Surge in female participation
One of the most remarkable aspects of the UAE School Games is the significant increase in female participation. The first edition saw impressive engagement from female athletes across a variety of sports. In badminton, 62 percent of participants were female, while 52 percent of archers, 70 percent of laser shooters, and 52 percent of taekwondo competitors were women.
Inaugural edition’s success
The inaugural edition of the UAE School Games in 2024 saw more than 3,500 students participate, a substantial increase from the initial trial. The competition grew in both size and scope, with the number of female participants nearly tripling, from 629 to 1,619.
The participant base was diverse, with 51 percent from private schools and 49 percent from government schools. Of the participants, 56 percent were UAE citizens, while 25 percent were of Asian descent, 13 percent were Arab expatriates, and 6 percent were from European and other national backgrounds. This diversity reflects the multicultural nature of the UAE, bringing together students from a wide range of backgrounds.
The finals of the first edition were held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The event was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, highlighting the event's significance in the UAE’s sporting and educational sectors.
Key partnerships and support
The UAE School Games are the result of a strong partnership between multiple key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Sports, the UAE National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Education, and the UAE Sports Federation for the Institutions of School and University Education. The success of the Games is also supported by sports councils, federations, and educational bodies, including the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the Department of Education and Knowledge, and the Sharjah Private Education Authority. Their collective efforts ensure the Games’ success and long-term impact in nurturing future sporting talent.