UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support Selects Young Athletes for Elite Development Programme

Sports & Championship

UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support Selects Young Athletes for Elite Development Programme

The UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support (UAETSS) has announced the inclusion of a new group of promising athletes into its development programmes, as part of ongoing efforts to nurture future champions and strengthen the country’s global sporting presence.

The announcement was made during an event held at the Dubai Autodrome, attended by key officials including Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports UAE and Chairman of UAETSS, as well as Mansoor Buosaiba, President of the UAE Cycling Federation.

The selected athletes include motorsport (drifting) talent Khalifa Al Falasi, alongside cyclists Falah Al Nuaimi, Sultan Saud, and Afra Khalid. Their inclusion reflects the committee’s expanding focus on diverse sports disciplines and its commitment to building a broader talent base.

The initiative is part of the ‘Pathway for Sports Champion’ programme, launched in partnership with Elite Sport UAE in November 2025. The programme aims to provide a comprehensive development environment, including specialised training, international boot camps, and professional technical support to help athletes transition to elite levels.

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum emphasised that investing in young talent is central to creating future champions and enhancing the UAE’s competitiveness on the global sports stage. He noted that expanding support to specialised sports such as drifting and cycling reflects a broader vision to unlock new opportunities for excellence.

Mansoor Buosaiba highlighted that the inclusion of cycling athletes represents a significant step forward in developing the sport within the UAE. He added that collaboration between sports entities is key to nurturing talent and preparing athletes to achieve success at the regional and international levels.

The programme operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports and in collaboration with key partners, including the UAE Olympic Committee and the Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Performance Sports. It is designed to identify talent early and guide athletes through a structured pathway toward elite and Olympic-level competition.

UAETSS said it will continue to expand its initiatives to strengthen the national sports ecosystem, ensuring athletes receive the support needed to achieve high-performance standards and represent the UAE on the global stage.