From stadiums to podiums… summer programs chart new paths for Emirati talent

Dubai, 7 July / WAM / Summer sports programs and tournaments in various emirates of the country continue to chart new paths to discover Emirati talent and hone their capabilities, through an integrated system of initiatives and events that combine training, competition and community awareness.

The summer of 2026 will witness a wide sporting movement extending until the end of next August, through dozens of programmes, camps and tournaments organized by sports councils, clubs, federations and sports institutions, as part of continuous efforts to spread the culture of practicing sports, expand the base of practitioners, and discover talent in various games.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of this movement through the fifth edition of the “Abu Dhabi Summer Sports 2026” event, which was launched at the ADNEC Abu Dhabi Center and will continue until next August 23, as it is the largest in the history of the event and the largest of its kind for indoor sports in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The event will be held on an area of ​​​​approximately 48 thousand square meters, an increase of 26% compared to the previous edition, and includes 29 sports and physical activities, including 10 new games held for the first time, distributed among more than 70 stadiums, arenas and sports tracks, in addition to more than 365 major events and activities that include sports competitions, community initiatives and awareness programmes.

For its part, the Dubai Sports Council launched the “Our Summer is Sports” initiative, which continues until next August 31, and includes a diverse program of indoor and outdoor sporting events, water, sea and mountain activities, in addition to programs dedicated to people of determination, in cooperation with a number of national institutions and organizers of sporting events in various regions of the emirate.

In Sharjah, sports clubs and institutions, in cooperation with the Sharjah Sports Council, continue to implement their summer programs aimed at attracting young people and youth to participate in sports, educational and community activities, which contributes to the development of sports skills and enhances the values ​​of discipline, teamwork and the spirit of positive competition.

The emirates of Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain are witnessing various sports programs and activities aimed at expanding the base of community participation and providing children and youth with the opportunity to discover their abilities in safe and stimulating training environments, under the supervision of specialized technical staff.

The indicators achieved over the past years confirm that summer programs have become one of the most prominent channels for discovering sports talent in the country, after they contributed to the introduction of many male and female players who continued their careers in the senior age teams in clubs, before joining the national teams in a number of individual and team games.

The effects of these programs are not limited to the sports aspect, but extend to social and developmental dimensions, by investing in leisure time during the summer vacation, and directing the energies of young people towards positive activities that enhance physical and psychological health, and contribute to reducing the negative effects of excessive use of electronic devices.

As the events continue until the end of next August, sports institutions in the country continue to provide quality programs that combine training, education and entertainment, which enhances the spread of sports among various segments of society, supports the discovery of talent and the creation of champions, and establishes the UAE’s position as a pioneering model in employing sports to serve sustainable community development.

His Excellency Arif Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, stressed that the “Abu Dhabi Sports Summer” embodies the emirate’s vision of making sport a way of life for all members of society, and reflects the continuing interest in enhancing sports participation and improving the quality of life, noting that Abu Dhabi’s advanced sports infrastructure has contributed to consolidating the event’s status and attracting increasing numbers of participants year after year.

Issa Sharif, Director of Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, said that the “Our Summer is Sports” initiative aims to enhance the culture of sports and physical activity among various segments of society, and to encourage everyone to participate in sports events during the summer, which contributes to enhancing the quality of life and consolidating Dubai’s position as a leading city in sports activity throughout the year.

Suleiman Abdul Rahman Al Hajri, member of the Board of Directors of Sharjah Sports Club and Head of the Individual Games Department, confirmed that summer sports programs have become an important source of talent discovery and refining the capabilities of young people in various games, as they provide an ideal environment for investing the summer vacation in activities that promote health, fitness and positive values.

He added that the initiatives support the goals of the “Year of the Family” by encouraging family participation and establishing the culture of sports as a way of life, which contributes to preparing generations that are healthier and more capable of achieving achievements in the future.

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