Abu Dhabi Water Sports…a pioneering model in qualifying talent and supporting national teams
ABU DHABI, 4th JANUARY / WAM / The Abu Dhabi Water Sports Club represents an advanced model of institutional sports work in the UAE, having succeeded since its establishment in 2022 in making a qualitative leap in the development of water sports, through a clear vision aimed at discovering and refining talent, supporting national teams, and enhancing Abu Dhabi’s presence as a global center for sports excellence.
The club worked to build an integrated system based on teaching swimming, forming competitive teams, and organizing tournaments, in addition to community programs targeting various segments of society.
In a short period of time, the club emerged as one of the most important organizers of major championships, as it hosted many international championships, the most recent of which was the Abu Dhabi International Swimming Championship, which witnessed a record participation of more than 1,000 male and female swimmers, representing more than 70 clubs and academies from inside and outside the country, and belonging to more than 100 nationalities, making it one of the largest international championships in the region.
The club recently organized the FinSwimming World Cup – Abu Dhabi 2025, with the participation of more than 400 male and female swimmers from 20 countries, in an event that reflects the great confidence that Abu Dhabi enjoys with international federations.
The Finswimming World Cup was marked by a historic participation of people of determination, through the “Himma” program in cooperation with the UAE Special Olympics, in a step that embodied the club’s commitment to promoting community integration and providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in the global sports scene.
In terms of results, the swimmers of the Abu Dhabi Aquatic Club achieved remarkable achievements, as the club topped the team standings in the World FinSwim Cup with 51 medals, in addition to winning dozens of medals in the Abu Dhabi International Swimming Championship, in addition to the emergence of a number of promising names that represent the future of Emirati swimming, including swimmer Hussein Shawqi, who was able to break the Arab record for the 50-meter freestyle race, confirming the success of the technical preparation programs approved by the club.
The Emirates Committee for Nurturing Sports Talents and Supporting National Sports at the Ministry of Sports also approved the Abu Dhabi International Swimming Championship, which was held last December, as one of the basic stations for discovering talented swimmers and following up on their artistic development, within the comprehensive national plan to prepare and create sports talents in the sport of swimming at the level of the UAE.
The Abu Dhabi Water Sports Club has advanced facilities, most notably the Olympic swimming pool in Mohammed bin Zayed City, in addition to an integrated infrastructure that supports various water sports, including swimming, water polo, free diving, artistic swimming, open water, and fin swimming. The club also provides swimming education services, competitive preparation programs, training camps, and technical workshops, under the supervision of specialized training and administrative staff.
The club places among its priorities the expansion of the talent base, strengthening international partnerships, and preparing to organize and host new tournaments, in addition to supporting the participation of its players in major competitions, most notably the 2026 Masters Games in Abu Dhabi, which strengthens the emirate’s position as a global capital for water sports, and confirms the club’s role as an essential supporter of supporting teams and creating future champions.
Abdullah Al Wahaibi, Chairman of the Business Committee of the Emirates Water Sports Federation, praised the role played by the Abu Dhabi Water Sports Club, stressing that its efforts are directly reflected in the development of the level of swimming in the country, as it has become an essential partner in the process of developing the game, whether through hosting tournaments or preparing talents, which is integrated with the Federation’s plans to expand the base of practitioners and raise the technical readiness of the national teams.
Khuwaiter Al Dhaheri, a member of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Water Sports Club, confirmed that the club has placed talent discovery at its top priority since its inception, explaining that the work is not limited to achieving immediate results, but rather focuses on building a sustainable base of qualified athletes.
He pointed out the club’s keenness to cooperate with local and international federations, and to align its programs with the highest international standards, in a way that serves the national teams and enhances the UAE’s presence in major forums.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
