Sheikh Sultan Award honours 686 young changemakers
- Last updated: September 29, 2025 | 13:40
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth has announced the winners of its 5th cycle, honouring 686 young changemakers in 2025.
The honorees were recognised for their dedication to self-development and societal empowerment, in full alignment with the values of resilience, discovery, community and integrity.
Drawn from 37 nationalities and all seven Emirates, the year’s winners reflect the Award’s growing local reach and international relevance. With a 26 per cent increase in winners from the fourth cycle, the Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth continues to cement its status as a shining light for youth achievement in the UAE, and beyond. The Award also helps support the wider goals of the UAE National Youth Agenda 2031, which aims to develop Emirati youth into global role models and active contributors to the nation's economic and social progress.
4 criteria
In a highly competitive cycle that saw both returning participants and new nominees enter across four criteria – Adventure, Volunteering, Skills and Fitness & Well-Being – the bronze medal remained the most awarded, with 489 honorees, followed by 138 gold and 59 silver medal recipients. The increase in the number of winners reflects both rising ambition from applicants and the success of programmes run by supporting institutions, as well as growing public awareness of the Award’s importance and prestige.
Importantly, the Award’s combined impact was also greater across each category this year. More than 17,050 volunteering hours were recorded throughout the cycle, strengthening participants’ sense of social responsibility. Volunteers helped to serve those in need and protect the environment via planting and clean-up activities, among many other tasks.
In the Adventure category, a total of 1,705 nights were spent in nature during the 5th cycle, boosting participants’ self-reliance, decision-making, confidence and adaptability, and helping them forge a stronger bond with the environment.
12,830 hours for fitness activities
This year’s Fitness and Wellbeing entrants undertook a total of 12,830 hours dedicated to skills and physical activities. As well as enjoying group and individual activities that boosted fitness and discipline, talent discovery and capacity building, the combined activities contributed to fostering a more well-rounded personality that combines knowledge, creativity and physical strength.
The 5th cycle also saw very strong gender and regional representation, and participation extended from Sharjah to the Northern Emirates, confirming the Award’s status as a genuinely national initiative that embraces all communities, backgrounds and abilities.
The spread of winners’ nationalities and locations also reinforces the Award’s commitment to inclusiveness, drawing participation from more individuals at schools and in communities. Setting the benchmark this year were Sharjah Youth and UAE Scouts – Ras Al Khaimah and the top-contributing schools, including the Australian International School Sharjah and GEMS Our Own English High School – Boys, Sharjah.
'A testament to dreams'
Aziza Ibrahim Al Maazmi, Director of the Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth, said: “The Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth is more than just recognition – it is a testament to the dreams, determination, and values of our young people. With each cycle, their stories remind us of the power of resilience, the beauty of discovery, the strength of community and the importance of integrity. They are not only shaping their own futures but also advancing the vision of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for a nation where youth lead with purpose and inspire generations to come.”
Building on this edition’s momentum, organisers have also announced that the 6th cycle of the Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth is now officially open for applications.
Running from September 2025 to May 1, 2026, the latest cycle will continue the Award’s mission to not only recognise personal development but to inspire systemic change through youth-led initiatives, with winners of the 6th cycle to be honoured at a special event.
For information on the Sheikh Sultan Awards for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth, please visit: https://sheikhsultanaward.ae/
About Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth
The Sheikh Sultan Award for Celebrating the Spirit of Youth was launched under the generous patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in 2019. This award is the first of its kind in the region and aims to enhance the talents and life skills of young people in the UAE. It encourages them to take on new challenges beyond their academic pursuits, helping them excel in various disciplines such as Adventure, Volunteering, Skills Development, and Fitness & Wellbeing.
The award is open to all nationalities in the UAE, specifically for youth aged 13 to 18. It operates on a three-tier medal system (bronze, silver, and gold). Participants are required to complete a set number of hours in each field under approved conditions and with licensed institutions.