Sports & Championship

The Ministry of Sports has officially launched the ‘Talent Committee Platform’, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming the talent identification and development ecosystem in the UAE. Overseen by the UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support (UAETSS), the platform is designed to create an intelligent, sustainable, and inclusive sports system that nurtures future athletic champions through data-driven tools and institutional collaboration.

The launch ceremony in Dubai was attended by top ministry officials, including H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports; and H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Chairman of UAETSS. The event drew national sports leaders, club and federation representatives, investors, and athletes from across the UAE.

A Unified Digital Ecosystem for Talent Development

The Talent Committee Platform serves as a centralized hub connecting athletes, coaches, scouts, schools, federations, and clubs. Integrated with the Ministry’s ‘Sportifai’ digital platform, it enables accurate, real-time tracking of athletes’ physical and technical performance using advanced analytics and transparent evaluation systems.

H.E. Dr. Al Falasi described the initiative as a “pivotal step” in building a future-ready, high-performance sports infrastructure:

“The platform represents a significant advancement in our efforts to discover and develop elite athletes from a young age. It is aligned with the goals of the National Sports Strategy 2031, aiming to increase the number of Emirati athletes qualifying for Olympic and international competitions.”

H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum added:

“The platform uses science-based evaluation methods to ensure fairness and accuracy in talent selection. It supports each athlete’s holistic growth by combining high-quality coaching, training camps, educational support, and international exposure.”

First Cohort of 58 Talents Announced

At the event, 58 outstanding athletes were announced as the inaugural cohort to benefit from the platform’s support programs. Selected from 13 sports, including badminton, swimming, archery, athletics, chess, fencing, football, and triathlon, the athletes were chosen through both federation nominations and digital scouting during the UAE School Games, using tools from PlayerMaker and Precision Football.

Honouring Contributors to UAE Sports

The launch event also featured the ‘Sports Giving Award’, honoring public and private sector partners who played a vital role in developing the nation’s sporting talent. Supporters were recognized across Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers. Gold supporters included leading entities such as MAIR Group, ADNOC, HSBC Bank, Abu Dhabi Airports, and Al Waha Capital.

Strategic Vision for Sustainable Sports Excellence

Founded in 2021, the UAETSS has become central to advancing the UAE’s sports development agenda. It works closely with government bodies, schools, and clubs to design pathways that support athletes through every stage of their journey—from early identification to elite competition.

The Talent Committee Platform is currently in its pilot phase, with a full public rollout scheduled for the first week of July. It is set to play a transformative role in preparing Emirati athletes to perform at the highest levels, nationally and globally.

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