ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

The Ministry of Sports has highlighted major progress in simplifying government services and cutting red tape as part of the national "Zero Bureaucracy" programme.

The update came during the third periodic meeting of the initiative's second phase, held at UAE University, where officials reviewed efforts to make government operations faster, smarter, and more user-focused.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, along with senior officials from the Ministry and representatives from various federal and sports entities.

Dr. Al Falasi said the Ministry's approach to governance is built on efficiency, innovation, and responsiveness, guided by the vision of the UAE's leadership.

"Eliminating bureaucracy is not just an administrative task – it's a cultural transformation," he said. "Progress starts with action, teamwork and a focus on serving people better.”

Within its first year, the Ministry formed a dedicated committee and seven task forces to review and streamline procedures. These groups have already delivered measurable improvements in the speed and quality of services. The Ministry's "Zero Bureaucracy Charter" now serves as a guide for simplifying policies and operations across the sector.

One clear success story is the reform of the sports leave service. Processing time for issuing, updating, or cancelling sports leave has been reduced to zero, with all unnecessary documents and steps removed.

The number of website visits has dropped by half, and customer satisfaction is expected to reach 91% in 2025.

The Ministry also presented the "Talent Committee Platform", a digital system that uses AI tools to identify and track promising Emirati athletes. By connecting athletes, clubs, and federations through one database, the platform helps improve talent scouting, development, and performance monitoring.

These reforms have made it easier for athletes to join national programmes such as the UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support and the Emirates Elite Sports Committee. Faster access to local and international training camps has improved athletes' readiness for global competitions.

To sustain momentum, the Ministry regularly organises innovation workshops, service development session,s and recognition programmes. It is also updating key policies, including the Sports Leave Regulations and the Sports Federations Governance Manual, to embed the zero bureaucracy mindset across all operations.

The early results are promising: over 1,100 athletes have created profiles on the Talent Committee Platform, with 370 applications received, 126 invited for testing and 101 athletes from 22 sports disciplines taking part. Ninety-two have already been classified as elite athletes.

Looking ahead, the Ministry plans to expand digital transformation in sports services, use AI to enhance performance tracking and strengthen collaboration among national sports bodies. These steps aim to build a more efficient and sustainable sports ecosystem – one that reflects the UAE's goal of delivering world-class government service.