The UAE is looking forward to participating in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with ambitions that are in line with the National Sports Strategy 2031, and achieving a new departure towards internationalism by increasing the number of qualifiers, reaching the required level of competitiveness, and rising to the podiums..
The participation of youth groups in world championships and Olympic tournaments represents a strategic goal that enhances the stages of development, empowers these groups with capabilities and builds skills to reach achievements in these tournaments..
The UAE preserves the achievement of the Emirati champion, jockey Omar Abdulaziz Al Marzouqi, who won the first Olympic medal on behalf of the UAE in the Youth Olympic Games, after winning the silver medal in the show jumping competitions in the third edition hosted by Argentina in 2018..
The Emirati ambitions to compete in the fourth edition in Dakar 2026 are growing, as the Olympic Committee works to qualify athletes and empower youth groups with the capabilities that enable them to reach the best results, in light of the current development programs and the great efforts being made by the sports federations and the Olympic Committee to reach international levels. The UAE champions qualify to raise the country’s flag on the podium.
The upcoming participation in the international tournaments qualifying for Dakar represents a favorable opportunity to enhance the chances of the people of the Emirates in qualifying, especially at the level of athletics, cycling, weightlifting, shooting, badminton, taekwondo and equestrian, given the strong participation of UAE athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the presence of elements A young woman with the ability to compete.
Nasser Al-Tamimi, member of the Board of Directors of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Technical Affairs Committee, stressed the importance of coordination and cooperation with sports federations and councils to reach national aspirations during the coming period, which will witness many major tournaments and tournaments, starting with participation in the Asian Youth Games in Tashkent in 2025. Everyone was keen to make every effort to achieve the hopes of the sons and daughters of the Emirates in foreign forums.
He pointed out that there are many federations seeking to qualify for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games through the tournaments scheduled in the coming period, explaining that the meeting of the Technical Affairs Committee of the Olympic Committee recently discussed the outcomes of the previous meeting with the federations, and the details of the strategy were announced. Comprehensive preparation and discussion of technical and financial plans for the coming years, to achieve technical plans and strategies that enhance the chances of qualifying.
Al Tamimi praised the achievement achieved by the knight Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzouqi, the owner of the first Olympic medal on behalf of the Emirates in the Youth Olympic Games in the show jumping competitions in the third edition hosted by Argentina 2018, and expressed his hope that the Emirati champions will return again to compete for medals and first places in Dakar. 2026.
For his part, Dr. Saeed Musabah Al Kaabi, President of the Emirates Arch and Arrow Federation, explained that the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games is an important and qualitative stage that will cast a positive shadow on the UAE’s strategic plans and directions to qualify athletes and prepare them for the 2028 Olympic Games..
He added that the Olympic Committee has developed strategic plans that enhance national ambitions in foreign competitions, and the National Sports Strategy dedicates the vision that supports achieving the best for Emirati sports, and the sports federations in the Emirates have qualified human capabilities capable of competing, expecting the emergence of many champions at all levels with the passage of time. the time.
Al Kaabi praised the positive cooperation with the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports, the implementation of development programs, and the keenness to exchange visions supporting the advancement of Emirati capabilities, and participation in continental and international championships, because of their significant and positive impact in refining competitive skills..
Mohammed Ishaq, Technical Secretary of the Emirates Taekwondo Federation, revealed that 8 talented players born in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 have been selected to participate in qualifying international tournaments during the coming period, and plans have been prepared to reach the level of competition in qualifying competitions at the level of Taekwondo..
He pointed out that UAE male and female players in various sports have the ability to demonstrate a good technical level, and confirm their keenness to advance their ambitions to qualify for participation in the Dakar 2026 Games, in light of the interest, care and coordination with the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports, and constructive and positive cooperation with sports clubs..
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