Third Edition of UAE School Games Kicks Off with Over 7,000 Students Competing in 13 Sports Disciplines
Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, the third official edition of the UAE School Games officially commenced on January 12, 2026, bringing together 7,096 students from 518 schools across the country.
Organised by the United Arab Emirates Schools and University Sports Federation (UAESUSF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Education, National Olympic Committee, and the Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah Sports Councils, this year’s championship continues to strengthen the UAE’s efforts to make sports a fundamental part of education and national development.
The 2026 edition introduces 13 sports disciplines, including football, athletics, archery, badminton, laser run, table tennis, and for the first time, Obstacle Course Racing (OCR). The second phase will feature chess, fencing, judo, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, and swimming.
Competitions will unfold across two phases — from January 12 to February 10 and April 1 to 30, 2026, culminating in a national final and awards ceremony on May 23, 2026. The top-performing students will receive gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum: “A foundation for future champions”
His Excellency Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports and President of UAESUSF, emphasised that the School Games serve as a national framework for discovering and nurturing sports talents while promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and fair competition among students.
“The School Games serves as the foundation in identifying and supporting future sports champions while creating an integrated educational and sporting environment that helps attain national objectives,” Sheikh Suhail said.
He added that the initiative aligns with the National Sports Strategy 2031, supporting the UAE’s ambition to increase the number of athletes qualifying for the Olympic Games to more than 30 by 2032.
Encouraging youth participation and sports culture
The championship continues to play a pivotal role in increasing youth participation in sports, embedding athletic activity within schools, and inspiring future generations to embrace fitness as a way of life.
Over the previous editions, the School Games recorded the participation of over 12,000 students and the recognition of 1,928 champions, with winners receiving personalised training programs through the UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support and Elite Sport UAE.
Through these efforts, the School Games have become a model of collaboration between government bodies, education institutions, and sports councils — fostering a culture of excellence and healthy competition that reflects the UAE’s long-term sporting vision.
