ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

The UAE Muay Thai Youth Championship is set to be held on Friday in Dubai as part of preparing a competitive calendar ahead of next month’s Youth World Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Organised by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, the event will be hosted at Dubai World Trade Centre in Hall 3 and offers top development opportunities for local athletes, and advance the sport in the country.

The championship will feature participants from clubs across the UAE and abroad, aged 10 to 17, competing in over 90 weight categories divided into the following age groups: 10–11 years, 12–13 years, 14–15 years, and 16–17 years.

According to Ali Khouri, board member of the UAE federation, the championship’s aim is to support youth ambitions and make the most of the summer break to hone emerging talent.

He also reiterated that the organisers remain focused on next month’s World Championships as an “important step towards achieving our goal of taking the sport to the highest levels” when it held at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi.

“This championship is an ideal opportunity for clubs and fighters from inside and outside the UAE,” said Khouri, “and a vital platform for the federation to assess fighters’ performances and discover talents to represent the national team at the Youth World Championship.

“We are committed to ensuring the best organisational standards and providing all necessary resources to bring the youth national team to peak readiness for the upcoming global stage. We have completed all preparations and in a position to maximise the benefits gained.”

This weekend’s programme begins with the weigh-ins and medical checks for participants on Wednesday at the federation’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The preliminary rounds will take place on August 15 from 3pm to 9pm, followed by the semi-finals on Saturday from 10am to 7pm. The final day, 17 August, will see the championship bouts starting at 10am, concluding at 7pm with the crowning of the champions.