Ahmed bin Mohammed Directs Launch of ‘Elite Club’ Under New Vision.

Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC), has directed the launch of the Elite Club under a new vision. This initiative aligns with the provisions of the NOC Statutes and the standards set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The club is designed to identify, support, and nurture talented athletes across a variety of sports.According to Emirates News Agency, this announcement was made during the Extraordinary Meeting of the General Assembly of the NOC held in Dubai. The meeting was chaired by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who presented his vision for the future of the Olympic movement in the UAE for the 2024-2028 Olympic period. The session was attended by key figures including Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee; Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the NOC, and Chairman of its Executive Board; and Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the NOC.The Elite Club's mission is to provide an optimal environment for athletes through advanced training programmes and technical and financial support, aiming for exceptional results at regional and international levels. This initiative is expected to enhance the global status of UAE sports, in line with Olympic values and principles. The club will be supervised and patronized by the NOC, in coordination with relevant entities, and will soon have a comprehensive proposal for its management structure and financial resource allocation submitted for approval.During the meeting, the General Assembly extended the current Board of Directors' term until the end of the 2028 Olympic Games and approved the NOC's technical and sports vision. This vision aims to foster sporting values, support competitive sports, and enhance athlete performance, particularly focusing on women's sports. It also encourages a healthy lifestyle among the community through sustainabl e initiatives.The NOC will further oversee the technical aspects of all sports federations according to the Sports Law and NOC Statutes, collaborating with federations to prepare national teams for international standards and employing modern methods to ready them for Olympic participation. Additionally, efforts will be made to establish partnerships with international sports organizations to empower national leaders in the Olympic field.The meeting also approved the opening of the NOC's new headquarters in Dubai in the first quarter of 2025 and the appointment of Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi as Chairman of the Advisory Council of the NOC. The formation of the Sports Arbitration Council for the UAE Sports Arbitration Centre for the 2024-2028 term was also approved, with Jamal Hamed Al Marri appointed as its chairman.On the sidelines of the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was photographed with gold medalists from the first edition of the GCC Youth Games held in the UAE last April, where the UAE topped the medal standings with 296 medals.