UAE to field 31 athletes at 6th Asian Beach Games

The UAE will compete in the 6th Asian Beach Games, which will take place in Sanya, China, from April 22 to 30 April, with a delegation of 31 athletes competing in four sports including ju-jitsu, sailing, beach soccer, and open water swimming.

China will host the Asian Beach Games for the second time, following Haiyang 2012. The sixth edition in Sanya will bring together 1,790 athletes representing 45 National Olympic Committees from across Asia, competing in 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 61 events.

The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the Ring Theatre in the Asian Beach Games Park, located in the scenic Tianya Haijiao area.

The advance delegation of the UAE Olympic Committee arrived in Sanya on Wednesday evening to review preparations for the arrival of the national delegation, whose campaign will begin with the national beach soccer team in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Iran.

The UAE has won 28 medals across all its appearances at the Asian Beach Games since the inaugural edition in Bali in 2008, comprising 11 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze medals.

The UAE has featured in every edition of the event since its launch, with Phuket 2014 standing as the nation’s most successful participation after yielding 12 medals.

The 5th edition in Da Nang in 2016 also marked a landmark moment, as UAE national ju-jitsu athlete Wudayma Al Yafei won bronze to become the first Emirati girl to reach the podium in the history of the Asian Beach Games.

Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the UAE Olympic Committee, stressed the importance of redoubling efforts and intensifying preparations to ensure a performance worthy of expectations at this important continental event, where Emirati athletes have consistently reached the podium and delivered outstanding results. He expressed confidence in the ability of the UAE delegation to continue this proud journey at this edition and to build further on the nation’s rich record of achievements since its debut participation in Bali in 2008.

His Excellency also commended the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, as well as the close follow-up of His Excellency Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Executive Office, in ensuring full support for the participation of national delegations in international sporting events where the UAE is represented with distinction. Such support leaves a positive mark on every occasion and reflects the advanced standing of the Olympic Movement in the UAE and its sustained development.

The first of the UAE national teams competing at the Asian Beach Games will arrive in Sanya on Saturday, with the national ju-jitsu team due to land first.

The sailing and beach soccer teams will follow on Sunday, while the full delegation will be completed with the arrival of the national swimming team next Monday.

The Asian Beach Games made their debut in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008, followed by the second edition in Muscat in 2010, the third in Haiyang, China, in 2012, the fourth in Phuket, Thailand, in 2014, and the fifth in Da Nang, Vietnam, in 2016, leading up to the eagerly awaited sixth edition in Sanya.