Minister of Sports honours winners of inaugural edition of UAE University Games

The inaugural edition of the UAE University Games concluded on Sunday with a grand awards ceremony at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, celebrating student-athletes and top-performing universities from across the country.

Organised by the Abu Dhabi Entertainment Company (ADEC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the UAE School and University Sports Federation, and supported by Solutions+ and MBME Group, the 2025 Games marked a major milestone in youth sports development and talent promotion in the UAE.

The closing ceremony was attended by an array of distinguished officials. Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, presented awards to the winning teams and athletes, joined by Dr Sultan Bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajiri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the Ministry of Sports and Secretary-General of the UAE Sports Federation for School and University Sports.

The event also welcomed senior figures from sports and education, including Dr Bakhit Al Kathiri, Chief Investment Officer at Mubadala; His Excellency Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Second Vice President of the UAE Football Association; and His Excellency Abdullah Juma Al Darmaki, President of the UAE Volleyball Association.

The American University in Dubai (AUD) emerged as the standout performer of the competition, capturing three titles in men’s and women’s basketball as well as women’s volleyball, earning the prestigious ‘Overall Excellence Shield.’

The University of Sharjah followed closely, winning the men’s football and men’s volleyball titles to secure second place overall. The University of Rochester rounded out the top three.

Speaking at the ceremony, Al Falasi hailed the Games as a key step in realising the goals of the National Sports Strategy 2031. 

He noted that the participation of more than 1,800 students from 28 universities reflected the growing importance of university sports in shaping a healthy, active, and socially responsible generation.

He underlined the tournament’s contribution to building a sustainable sports culture that spans all levels of education, complementing efforts such as the UAE School Games to identify and nurture national athletic talent capable of competing at regional and global levels, including the Olympics.

Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum described the University Games as a foundational pillar in creating a comprehensive and integrated university sports ecosystem. He praised the synergy between academic institutions and sports federations in delivering a successful inaugural edition.

Sheikh Suhail highlighted the importance of aligning the university-level sports pathway with international best practices and partnerships in talent development and performance analysis. 

He emphasised that the tournament’s outcomes reflected effective institutional collaboration and national integration, affirming the UAE’s broader vision of empowering Emirati youth and supporting national teams with homegrown champions.

The first edition of the University Games brought together 1,585 students from 28 universities, showcasing high levels of competition and enthusiasm. Organisers have expressed their intent to build on this momentum in future editions, solidifying university sports as a cornerstone of the UAE’s sporting and youth development landscape.

WAM