News article
UAE focuses on developing sporting talent
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has placed a focus on developing sporting talent in line with its ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.
The General Authority of Sports (GAS) recently launched a ‘Sports Talents’ platform as a vital part of the ‘Empowerment and Sustainability of Sports Talents’ project. This online platform has been developed to identify 1,500 promising new sports talents and offer them the necessary support to develop their capabilities.
Designed to collect data and insights around sporting talent, beginning from the initial registration phase and continuing throughout their development. GAS will collaborate with the relevant sports organisations and education institutions in the UAE, monitoring sports fairs and events to discover sporting talents.
“Our ‘Empowerment and Sustainability of Sports Talents’ project aims to expand the base of sports practices for promising talents, fostering their sports culture and developing a professional mindset through the recently launched ‘Sports Talent’ platform,” said His Excellency Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director-General for the General Authority of Sports.
“Through these efforts, we seek to ensure the sustainability of sports talents in alignment with the goals and values of ‘Year of Sustainability’. Furthermore, it integrates talent identification procedures to ensure a promising future for Emirati sports signifying the unwavering efforts of the Authority in collaboration with its partners from the sports, government and private sectors. Our goal is to devise national strategies to recognise and empower sports talents and ultimately boost the UAE’s sports landscape.”
“Through these efforts, we seek to ensure the sustainability of sports talents in alignment with the goals and values of ‘Year of Sustainability’."
Sporting talent will be identified across different age categories, with the platform monitoring and documenting initiatives to encourage development. Strategies will be formulated to create suitable environments for sporting talents, with regular assessments and ongoing support.
“Through this initiative, we seek to create a comprehensive database of sports talents in the UAE using the ‘Sports Talent’ online platform, which is designed to be accessible to all young talents, whether they are involved in sporting events or not. It will serve as the primary communication channel with talented athletes across the UAE,” explained HE Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at GAS.
“By providing financial and administrative support to promising athletes and sports federations, we can improve the prospects of success for those athletes aiming to qualify for the Olympics.
“This support will also enhance the chances of Emirati athletes succeeding in international competitions and achieving sporting excellence at all levels. Our goal is to meet the targets set out in the National Sports Strategy 2031, which aims to qualify over 30 Emirati athletes for the 2032 Olympic Games.”
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