Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses the launch of the “National Service Sports” program

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, witnessed the launch of the “National Service Sports” program in cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Sports, which aims to support the elite athletes who join the national service and involve them in various sports programs, which allows them to continue their training and develop their sporting skills during the service period, as well as enabling them to participate in specific competitions that contribute to raising their global rankings, It qualifies them for major international championships.

This came as part of an event organized by the Ministry of Sports in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, during which he met His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a group of employees of the first batch within the “National Service Sports” program.

The event was attended by Dr. Ahmed Balah Al -Falasi, Minister of Sports, and Muhammad bin Mubarak bin Fadel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defense Affairs.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that the support of elite athletes is a national priority that is consistent with the vision of the rational leadership in empowering the people of the country in various sectors, including sport, which is a major component in building the personality of the Emirati human and enhancing the state’s position on the global scene, through the care and development of young national competencies.

His Highness said: “The athletes are our travels in various international sports forums, and we are keen to create the environment that guarantees the continuity of their superiority, as the integration between military effort and sports work enhances the efficiency of our youth physically and cognitively to be the leaders of the future and the protectors of its gains, and establishes them the values ​​of discipline and giving.”

His Highness added: “Today I was happy to meet a group of employees of the first batch within the” National Service Sports “program, which reflects the integration of roles between state institutions to support our athletes classified, discover new talents, and the manufacture of heroes who are able to raise the UAE flag high and reach the podium. A strategic guarantee that achievements continue and go through it in translating our national vision into a tangible reality.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Balah Al -Falasi: “The“ National Service Sports ”program represents a practical step to support our efforts in developing national sport, and enhancing the readiness of our youth from elite athletes during the national service period, and through this program we seek to benefit from the expertise and capabilities available to the ministries of defense and sports, in a way that enhances the national identity, and supports the strategic priority in building a healthy and active society.

He added: “This program comes within the framework of the implementation of the national strategy for sports 2031, especially with regard to raising the rates of physical and fitness activity among the UAE youth, in a way that reflects positively on their sports and professional competencies in various fields, and the program also represents a practical model for achieving the targets of the” UAE 2031 “vision in enabling our youth and developing their capabilities and ensuring the continuity of their superiority in serving the country.

In turn, Muhammad bin Mubarak bin Fadel Al -Mazrouei said: “We believe in the importance of directing the capabilities of the country’s youth towards paths that serve the future of the state and enhance their comprehensive readiness.

He added: “Through this program, we seek to discover and sponsor new talents between the employees of the national service, and to provide them with the supportive environment to achieve their sports and national ambitions, within an integrated and flexible system that allows them to combine military discipline and sports brilliance, in a way that contributes to preparing a physical and physically distinguished generation, and is able to efficiently represent the UAE in various fields.”

The program aims to enhance sports performance among Emirati athletes during the national service period and ensure their continued physical development, and to provide them with opportunities to participate in sports activities outside the scope of national service, as well as conducting technical evaluation and periodic tests through specialized technical teams for recruits that are chosen by the National Service, to enhance the discovery of sports talents in the country.

The program also seeks to develop joint sports programs in a way that contributes to achieving efficiency and excellence for Emirati youth, and this program represents an important step towards investing energies and capabilities for the people of the Emirates in order to serve the country.

The first stage of the program will include a group of athletes who will represent the country in a number of upcoming sports championships, led by the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026, to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, in addition to other regional and international participation.

The program will include a group of promising talents in multiple sports such as fencing, equestrian, arc and arrow, athletics, combat sports, and others, which reflects the state’s commitment to sponsoring and developing national competencies in various sporting specialties.

The program focuses on achieving the highest levels of cooperation and coordination between the two parties in several tracks, including organizing joint sporting activities, where efforts will be coordinated between the two ministries to organize joint sports events, allowing athletes to participate in competitions and workshops aimed at enhancing sports and fitness skills, as well as providing logistical support and resources necessary to implement joint sports projects, exchange technical and administrative expertise in the field of sports, and cooperation in the field of Rehabilitation and preparation of technical and administrative cadres for workers in the field of sports training and related science.

According to the program, a joint committee will be formed that includes representatives from the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Defense, in addition to some relevant partner parties, and this committee will be responsible for following up the implementation of the program’s initiatives and outputs, and holding periodic meetings to ensure the progress of work and develop it in a way that serves the common goals.