The 2026 International Radio Demonstration Championship kicks off in Al Ain

Al Ain, February 5, WAM / The competitions and events of the second edition of the International Radio Aviation Demonstration Championship 2026 – Al Ain, were launched yesterday at the Al Ain Amateur Club, which is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain region, and will continue until February 8, with the participation of more than 86 professional pilots representing 28 countries from around the world.

The tournament, which is organized in accordance with the highest international technical and organizational standards, witnesses strong competitions in the sport of exhibition radio flying, within categories ranging in level of difficulty, which reflects the rapid development of this specialized sport, and confirms the country’s leading position in hosting specific international sports tournaments.

Abdullah Khuwaidim Al Neyadi, representative of the International Radio Aviation Organization in the UAE and Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, confirmed in his speech during the opening ceremony of the tournament that the second edition of the International Radio Aviation Demonstration Championship 2026 – Al Ain, reflects the advanced position of the UAE in organizing and hosting specific sports tournaments, noting that the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain region, contributed to enhancing the success of the tournament and its rise to the level of International standards.

He explained that the tournament witnesses the participation of an elite group of professional pilots from about 28 countries, which reflects the growing international confidence in this event, stressing the organizing committee’s keenness to provide the highest organizational and technical standards, support the culture of innovation and encourage young people to take an interest in aviation science and modern technology.

Al Neyadi thanked and appreciated the supporting entities, partners, work teams and volunteers, wishing the participants success and providing competitions befitting the international status of the tournament.

The tournament coincides with the organization of the “Universities Challenge for Autonomous Systems – AUSUIC 2026”, which is hosted by the United Arab Emirates University during the period from 7 to 8 February at the Al Ain Sports Club, with the participation of aeronautical engineering students from the country’s universities, in a framework that reflects the integration between sports, education and innovation.

The International Radio Aviation Championship contributes to strengthening the position of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on the map of specialized events in this field. The city of Al Ain’s hosting of the championship also reflects its cultural and historical specificity, and contributes to supporting tourism and cultural exchange, highlighting the Emirati national identity, in addition to enhancing the culture of ground and air safety and encouraging the participation of young people in the fields of modern aviation, in keeping with the best international practices.

In its second edition, the tournament aims to attract more than 3,000 visitors, and over a five-day period it includes a program full of accompanying events, including day and night air shows, educational workshops for advanced and beginner levels, in addition to specialized university competitions, thus enhancing the city of Al Ain’s position as a leading destination for hosting quality and specialized sporting events.

The tournament is considered one of the most prominent specialized tournaments regionally and internationally, and reflects the UAE’s leadership in air sports, its support for national talent, and its consolidation of the concepts of professionalism and safety.

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