Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Ministry of Sports has established the UAE Obstacle Sports Federation (UOSF) as the governing body responsible for organising and developing this sport.
All federations operate under the umbrella of the International Obstacle Sports Federation, headquartered in Switzerland.
Obstacle sports such as OCR, Adventure, Ninja, Callisthenics, and Obstacle Racing are practised across over 77 countries worldwide, including 30 Asian nations.
The aim of UOSF is to promote the sport within the UAE – which combines physical fitness, endurance and mental skills, and pave the way for international recognition.
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, extended his best wishes for the success of the Federation’s Board of Directors, under the leadership of Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb.
He said the establishment marks a key milestone in strengthening the UAE’s sports sector, in line with the Ministry’s efforts to diversify national sports, offer athletes new avenues for competition, and promote wider community participation to foster a healthy and active society.
Dr. Al Falasi added that the initial steps to promote this unique sports category are already underway, with its inclusion in upcoming editions of school and university games.
As the first president of the new federation, Al Shawareb extended his gratitude to the sports ministry and Dr. Al Falasi.
“We are deeply honoured by the trust placed in us to lead the Federation following its official establishment. We look forward to building a comprehensive institutional framework that promotes obstacle sports across all segments of Emirati society, enhancing their physical fitness and nurturing talents who can represent the UAE at international platforms.
“Moving forward, we will focus on strengthening cooperation with regional federations and the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles. This is to foster strategic partnerships and exchange expertise in support of the UAE’s broader sports development goals.”
Across the UAE, this sports category has seen remarkable growth, with 52 registered events held nationwide last year. Recent statistics indicate that approximately 9,000 citizens and residents actively practise this sport.
Notably, Dubai hosted the World Obstacle Championship in December 2024, where the event garnered widespread public interest and participation.
Obstacle races feature natural or artificial barriers that athletes must overcome in the shortest possible time. Competitions are held across male, female, and mixed categories, across individual, pairs, and four-person team formats.
In addition, the sport is also gaining popularity across the Gulf and Arab world, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Kuwait, and Bahrain staging events.
