Third Official Edition of School Games Kicks Off Under Minister Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi

Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, the third official edition of the School Games was launched on January 12, 2026, bringing together students across the UAE's public and private schools. A total of 7,096 students from 518 schools are participating in this national annual championship, which seeks to position school sports as a pivotal step to identify and support sports talents across the country and encourage active sports participation among the young generation.According to Emirates News Agency, the championship is being organised by the United Arab Emirates Schools and University Sports Federation (UAESUSF), in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Education, the National Olympic Committee, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Dubai Sports Council, the Sharjah Sports Council, and various strategic partners. It is part of an integrated national ecosystem that offers more opportunities for the UAE's athletes to ensure achievements in both reg ional and international venues.Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports and President of UAESUSF, underscored that the School Games 2026 signifies a milestone in the development of school sports in the UAE. The event offers a national framework that reinforces the role of sports within the educational environment, contributes to the development of a generation with strong physical fitness and athletic skills, and instils values of fair competition, discipline, and teamwork.He reaffirmed that the School Games marks a major pillar within the Ministry's and the Federation's plans to discover and nurture sporting talents and create future champions from the country. It helps establish an integrated educational and sporting environment, allowing students to strengthen their skills, aligning with the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031, aiming to increase the number of athletes qualifying for the Olympic Games t o over 30 by the 2032 Olympics.Additionally, Sheikh Suhail stated that the success of the School Games in previous editions reflects the strong commitment of the Ministry of Sports, UAESUSF, the Ministry of Education, and their partners to encourage youth to incorporate sports into the educational system. This joint effort contributes to the development of Emirati sports and promotes sports as part of daily lifestyle among students.This year's edition features competitions across 13 individual and team sports, held in two phases. The first phase includes football, athletics, archery, badminton, laser run, and table tennis. It also includes the debut of obstacle course racing, which enhances the diversity of programs while supporting wider participation in sports. The second phase will include chess, fencing, judo, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, and swimming.The competitions will be held throughout the academic year, with the initial phase running from January 12 to February 10, 2026, followed by the second phase from April 1 to 30, 2026. Talented students from various regions will compete, culminating in the finals and an award ceremony on May 23, 2026. Students who qualify from both phases will compete at the national level in the finals, with the top three participants receiving gold, silver, and bronze medals.