850 swimmers participate in the first edition of the Talented Championship

The organizing committee of the Talented Swimming Championship, headed by Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports and Chairman of the Emirates Committee for Nurturing Sports Talents and Supporting National Sports, announced the closing of registration to participate in the first edition of the championship, which will be held on November 15 and 16 at the Mohammed bin Zayed City Swimming Pool in the capital, Abu Dhabi.

The tournament witnessed a large demand for participation, as the number of registered male and female swimmers from more than 90 nationalities reached more than 90 nationalities, representing government clubs and private academies in the country. The Abu Dhabi Water Sports Club, Fujairah Club, Al Hamriyah Club, and Maliha Club are also participating in the first event of its kind, with a large number of national swimmers, which reflects the efforts of the Ministry of Sports in discovering and nurturing rising generations in water sports and developing the national talent base.

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, revealed the details of organizing the first edition of the Talented Swimming Championship, which is held within the efforts of the Ministry of Sports and its endeavors to discover and nurture rising generations in water sports, in a way that serves the development of the national talent base.

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti praised the unlimited support given by Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, to talent discovery programs and plans, as this has a significant impact on the development of UAE sports and bringing the country’s people to the highest levels of competitiveness, enabling them to achieve achievements in international competitions at all levels.
He also praised the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and its provision of sports facilities to host sporting events in the country, and the swimming championship for talented people in particular, in order to encourage and support competitive sports.

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum pointed out that the championship is organized in cooperation between the Ministry of Sports, the Emirates Swimming Federation, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Water Sports Club, and under the supervision of the Emirates Committee for Nurturing Sports Talents and Supporting National Sports, and within the national plan aimed at building an integrated system for discovering and refining sports talent in the country. The tournament comes as a translation of the Ministry of Sports’ vision of building a new generation of athletes capable of representing the country and competing in regional and international forums.

He added in a press statement: “This tournament is of great importance, as it represents the first step within the national program for discovering talent in the sport of swimming. It is also the starting point for a series of tournaments and programs dedicated to nurturing talented people in individual and team sports, and it keeps pace with the national sports strategy regarding preparing and refining talent to create future champions.”

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum continued: “We are confident, with certainty, that this tournament, with its great demand for participation, has exceeded expectations.”

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti revealed that the championship targets the age group from 9 to 17 years, pointing out that the championship will be a platform for discovering distinguished emerging swimmers and preparing them for the future through training programs designed according to the highest technical standards followed in the field, and through their integration into a professional competitive environment with international specifications.
The official website of the Ministry of Sports will provide followers with all information about the tournament.

It is noteworthy that the first-place winners will receive medals and awards of appreciation, and an elite group of distinguished swimmers will be selected to join the talent development programs of the committee supervised by the Ministry of Sports in cooperation with the competent authorities, with the aim of providing continuous technical and training support to promising talents.