Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The nationwide search for the UAE’s next generation of sporting champions has taken a major step forward, with 126 promising young athletes undergoing a rigorous three-day assessment at the e& Academy for Sports and Leisure Club.
The event, organised by the UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support (UAETSS) under the Ministry of Sports, is the first of its kind. It saw the hopefuls selected from a pool of 800 applicants who registered through the new Talent Committee Platform, an online portal designed to connect raw talent with national sports bodies.
Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Chairman of UAETSS, said the initiative aims to create a clear path for young athletes to succeed. “Our goal is to build a system where every talented young athlete in the UAE can reach their full potential,” he said.
“This platform isn’t just about finding talent; it’s about nurturing it. We provide them with scientific coaching, dedicated support, and a fair chance to one day represent our nation on the world stage.”
The aspiring athletes were put through a battery of tests designed to measure every aspect of their ability. Under the watchful eyes of international experts and national specialists, they were assessed on physical attributes like sprint speed and jump strength, as well as cognitive skills like reaction time.
The evaluations were designed to be fair and transparent, giving every participant an equal opportunity to showcase their potential.
The sheer scope of the talent search was reflected in the diverse range of sports represented. The committee invited athletes from 27 different disciplines, highlighting its vision to strengthen the UAE’s entire sporting ecosystem.
The assessments were supervised by a distinguished group of global specialists in sports talent identification and national professionals, ensuring alignment with global best practices and reflecting its comprehensive vision to strengthen the national sports ecosystem.
The Committee invited athletes from 27 different sports disciplines, including aquathlon, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, motorsports (drifting and track racing), fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, jet-ski racing, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, karting, mixed martial arts (MMA), open-water swimming, sailing, skiing, ice-skating, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and triathlon.
