We are keen to create a model environment for our youth during the performance of their national duty

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 their involvement 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 the Minister of Sports, Dr. Ahmed Balah Al -Falasi, and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Muhammad bin Mubarak bin Fadel Al Mazrouei.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that the support of elite athletes is a national priority, consistent with the vision of the wise leadership in empowering the people of the country in various sectors, including sport that is a major component in building the Emirati human personality, 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.

His Highness added: “Today I was delighted to meet a group of employees of the first batch within the program (National Service Sports), 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 coronation platforms. We believe that physical readiness and competitive spirit are values ​​that intersect between sport and national service, and through this program we establish a strategic path, ensuring the continuation of achievements, and through it we proceed to translate our national vision into a tangible reality.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in a post on the X platform yesterday: “We witnessed the launch of the (National Service Sports Program) program, as a joint initiative between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Sports, to support elite athletes during the national service period, and I was also pleased to meet the members of the first batch of the program from various sports fields.”

His Highness added: “We are keen to create a model environment for our youth during the performance of their national duty, which allows them to combine military discipline and sports excellence, and the program aims to develop sports talents to represent the UAE in continental and international forums, and raise the flag of the homeland high on the coronation platforms.”

Strategic priority

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Balhal Al -Falasi said: “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 strategic priority in building a healthy and active society.”

He added: «This program comes within the framework of implementing 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 target of vision (we 2031) in empowering our youth and developing their capabilities and ensuring the continuity of their superiority in serving the country.

An integrated system

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. The launch of the (National Service Sports) program comes to confirm our commitment to providing a supportive training environment for national service recruits from elite athletes, which guarantee them continuity in developing their sports performance without prejudice to their national duties.

He added, “Through this program, we seek to discover and sponsor new talents among the employees of the national service, and to provide them with the supportive environment to achieve their sports and national ambitions.”

Program objectives

The program aims to enhance sports performance among Emirati athletes during the national service period, ensure their continued physical development, and 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 Authority, to enhance the discovery of sports talents in 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.

Joint activities and events

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 experiences in the field of sports, and cooperation in the field of rehabilitation Preparing 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.

Hamdan bin Mohammed:

• The integration between military effort and sports work enhances the efficiency of our youth physically and cognitively, to be the leaders of the future.

• The program establishes a strategic path that combines military discipline and sports excellence for the manufacture of heroes representing the homeland.

Dr. Ahmed Al -Falasi:

• The program is a practical model to enable our youth, develop their capabilities, and ensure the continuity of their superiority in serving the country.

Muhammad Al Mazrouei:

• The program confirms our commitment to providing a supportive training environment for national service recruits from elite athletes.