· The UAE delegation recorded outstanding numbers at the Arab Games in Algeria, and chess topped the scene.
· UAE won the “20th” star at the Asian Games.
· Asiad Hangzhou ... a milestone in the history of the participation of the continental Emirates
· The UAE concluded its participation by winning third place in the Arab world and sixteenth overall.
· Ahmed bin Mohammed honored athletes who won 31 medals at the Asian Games and Asian Paralympic Games in Hangzhou, China.
· The Olympic Committee continues to innovatively organize its annual activities and programs
· National Sports Day Executive adopted a new concept of "Sports Sustainability" during the 8th edition.
· 70,000 participants in the 8th National Sports Day.
· 8 successful meetings that enhance the Olympic presence in 2023 at all levels.
· 2023 was a new phase in the history of the National Olympic Committee.
· NOC Board of Directors elections were held for the first time.
· Ahmed bin Mohammed was elected Chairman of the NOC Board of Directors until 2024
· Scientific and sports courses were conducted to keep pace with the continuous development of the Olympic movement
· The formation of the Athletes' Committee of the National Olympic Committee was announced.
· The National Olympic Committee Youth Council was launched
2023 was an exceptional year in the UAE's National Olympic Movement. It achieved outstanding numbers by overseas sports participation, especially at the continental level, as well as events and initiatives held throughout the year. It achieved many outputs that are consistent with the UAE's sustainability slogan by organizing the 8th National Sports Day with the participation of 70,000 participants from across the Country.
UAE athletes at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou in 2023 achieved an unprecedented number of medals at the Asian level, winning 20 colorful medals. This tournament will remain a bright mark in the history of continental participation, during which many records and outstanding results were achieved. In addition to the honorable participation in the 5th Arab Games in Algeria, which was held in the same year. The UAE won 47 colorful medals in the total participation held under the supervision of the National Olympic Committee to promote its great leadership and position in sports.
For the first time in NOC history, the team's Board of Directors for the period 2023–2024 was formed, headed by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, based on the statute of the Committee approved by its General Assembly and in accordance with international sports regulations and standards. It includes several committees that comply with best practices at the level of the Olympic Movement.
Some athletes qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, particularly in the sports of show jumping and cycling, and increased the number of athletes participating until the end of the qualifying tournaments before the start of the Olympic event.
In 2023, the UAE, through participation and overseas sports tournaments held under the National Olympic Committee, won 47 colorful medals, including 27 medals at the 15th Arab Games in Algeria during the period (5–15) of July 2023. The UAE also won 20 colorful medals at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, between September 23 and October 8 of the same year. This is the best participation in the history of the UAE in the Asian Games since 1978.
In the 5th Arab Games in Algeria, the UAE delegation returned after competing in 15 games and won 27 colorful medals (5 golds, 6 silvers, and 16 bronzes), including 5 medals for people of determination (1 silver and 4 bronzes).
The UAE concluded its participation with a distinguished total of medals with 27 colorful medals, where the chess team won 5 medals, including 2 golds for men's and women's teams, 2 golds for rapid and blitz chess by our great international champion Salem Abdul Rahman, and a silver for the rapid chess competition by our player Rawda Al Serkal.
Our national team for modern sailing, which consists of several promising champions, won 5 colorful medals (1 gold won by the promising champion Khalifa Al Rumaithi and 1 silver and 3 bronzes in the other competitions).
The participation of the Fencing team is unprecedented in the Arab Games after winning 3 medals; two silvers in the men's and women's Épée Competitions, and a bronze in the Fleuret Competition for teams.
The national cycling team won 3 medals; including a silver in the general individual race won by our national team cyclist Abdullah Jassim Al Ali, a bronze medal in the team time trial, and a bronze medal in the individual race for teams.
The People of Determination team had an incredible performance at the Arab Games, winning 5 medals; including a silver in the wheelchair basketball competition and 4 bronzes in the athletics competition.
At the Asian Games, the participating delegation was crowned at the 19th Asian Games, which featured the participation of 12,000 athletes from 45 nations. The UAE participated in the Asian Games with 140 athletes, including 102 male and 38 female athletes, who competed in 20 different sports disciplines, and won 20 colorful medals (5 golds, 5 silvers, and 10 bronzes).
The nation’s athletes won medals in five disciplines: Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Equestrian, and Cycling. The tournament is a milestone in the record of the participating UAE champions, as the record for medals achieved in the history of participation in the Asian Games was broken. Our national jiu-jitsu team won 10 colorful medals; including the second consecutive gold medal for Faisal Al Ketbi, who sustained the gold medal in Asiad Jakarta. In addition to Ahmed Al-Mansouri, the cyclist of our national team, who won the first medal in the history of the participation of Arabs and the UAE in the Asian Games in the "track" competition.
The competitions of our women's national chess team achieved an unprecedented number at the continental level at the Asian Games by Wafia Al Maamari, our player of the UAE national team, and Al Ain Chess and Mental Games Club. She performed exceptionally and drew with the Indonesian great international professor Irina Sukandar, the Asian champion, in a historic match. The match lasted for 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 23 seconds of continuous play and included 171 moves between the two players. This is the longest match in the history of the Asian Games at the level of all games, not just chess, and surpassed some other games known for their long duration.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee, honored the distinguished athletes in recognition of their contribution to the UAE and encouraged them to maintain their level and remain at the forefront at all times. The National Olympic Committee (NOC) organized a special ceremony on November 20, 2023, at the Emirates Towers in Dubai to honor the UAE champion athletes who won 31 medals at the Asian Games and the Asian Paralympic Games held in Hangzhou, China.
His Highness also honored the former members of the Executive Office of the National Olympic Committee, in recognition of their prominent role, their outstanding contributions to driving the National Olympic Movement, and their commitment to providing ambitious suggestions and visions during their time at the Committee.
Regarding annual community events under its umbrella, the National Olympic Committee continues to innovatively organize its annual activities and programs, including the National Sports Day and the Olympic Day, which are organized annually in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee's anniversary.
The Executive Team of the National Sports Day initiative adopted a new concept in line with the declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability during the 8th edition of the event on March 2, 2023, under the slogan "The UAE brings us together."
This concept was to apply "sports sustainability" standards in conjunction with the declaration of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, 2023, as the Year of Sustainability. His Highness encouraged all segments of society to adopt new ideas and qualitative initiatives that reflect the civilized face of the UAE, the leader in the sustainability sector, and the owner of qualitative initiatives and outstanding efforts in this regard. The Executive Team of the National Sports Day initiative reviewed how to achieve this direction by organizing 24-hour sports events. These events focused on sustainable sporting activities through the use of means and tools to achieve this, such as using bicycles, walking, and reducing the use of vehicles on this day.
The National Olympic Committee, in collaboration with the General Sports Authority, organized the main event of the 8th edition of the National Sports Day in the Emirate of Dubai on the first Thursday of March 2023, which was set annually for the establishment of this event in 2023, at the headquarters of Shabab Al Ahli Club, Al Nahda branch in Dubai. At the end of the 8th edition, over 70,000 people registered on the National Sports Day website, with 500 events spread across the nation's various emirates. It saw significant community participation from a range of age groups as well as several public figures, sports, and the media.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee received his Mongolian counterpart, Battushig Batbold, to discuss ways of cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations to drive the Olympic movement in both countries.
They discussed and reviewed the most prominent developments in the sports arena, especially the fourth Winter Olympics, which is the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Asia, and the Summer Olympics in Paris next summer 2024.
They were also briefed on the first Gulf Youth Games to be held in the United Arab Emirates from (April 16 to May 2, 2024). It is an important station to compete and prepare for major sporting events in which athletes from all GCC countries participate.
They also discussed the most important training programs, seminars, and various initiatives held during the past period, organized by the Olympic Council of Asia for National Olympic Committees in Asia.
Dr. Hashel Al Tunaiji, Consultant of Sports Medicine and Sports Sciences, Chairman of the Sports Medicine Committee of the National Olympic Committee, was officially invited to attend the meetings of the Executive Office and the Development Committee of the International and European Federation of Sports Medicine in Rome, Italy, between July 20 and 23, 2023.
The meeting discussed several topics, including the preparations of the UAE National Olympic Committee to host the International Federation of Sports Medicine 2024 conference in Dubai. Dr. Hashel Al Tunaiji gave a detailed presentation to the presidents of the International Federation and the European Federation on the preparations for this international event, which will be held for the first time in the United Arab Emirates from October 24 to 27, next year.
The UAE also participated in the meeting of the Asian Sports Medicine Organization, which was held in Hangzhou, China, in July 2023, as part of the proceedings of the Executive Committee of the organization. The current situation and future of sports medicine on the continent, as well as the most important upcoming sporting events, particularly the 19th Asian Games hosted by Hangzhou, were discussed.
The UAE was represented at the meeting by Dr. Abdullah Al Rahoumi, Consultant of Sports Medicine, Vice Chairman of the Medical Committee of the National Olympic Committee, and Executive Member of the Asian Organization of Sports Medicine. He also participated in the proceedings that represented the scientific summit of sports medicine on the continent of Asia, in which the most important and latest medical developments in the field of sports medicine were discussed.
As part of strengthening its partnerships with international sports institutions and bodies, His Excellency Faris Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee, met with Luke Tardif, President of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and the accompanying delegation on October 12, 2023, in Dubai, to discuss ways of cooperation and review the Federation's training programs and activities at all levels.
Al Mutawa was given an overview of the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) next most important competitions, to continue developing the game and spreading it more extensively over the world, as well as the demand of many countries to form their teams. Development and cooperation programs in Asia and Oceania are currently being discussed and planned. Regional event development programs such as the Southeast Asian Games (2025 in Thailand, 2027 in Malaysia, and 2029 in Singapore) are also organized to promote and drive ice hockey in the region.
Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, met with Professor Fabio Pigozi, President of the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS), and his accompanying delegation on October 15, 2023, to discuss ways to improve cooperation and activate successful partnerships in the fields of sports medicine, as well as to discuss preparations for Dubai to host the 38th International Congress of Sports Medicine next year, 2024.
To enhance its permanent presence in the various meetings of various sports institutions, entities, and organizations, the National Olympic Committee participated in the proceedings of the twelfth General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, which was held in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on November 27, 2023, in the presence of all 57 members of the National Olympic Committees.
Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, also met with the delegation of the Sharjah Sports Council in June 2023 at the Committee's headquarters in Dubai, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President of the Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Executive Office. During the meeting, they reviewed the Council's efforts, initiatives, and programs to provide an appropriate sports environment that contributes to increasing the level of UAE sports, whether in terms of competitive or community sports. The National Olympic Committee (NOC) discussed with Dubai Sports Council ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides to achieve the desired development in the sports sector in terms of attracting and developing sports talents and hosting major international tournaments.
On August 22, 2023, the National Olympic Committee began a new phase in the formation of the Board of Directors by applying the electoral system for the first time, with an independent commission responsible for managing and overseeing the electoral process.
The Election Commission, headed by Counsellor Omar Miran and with the membership of Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Maamari and Counsellor Hassan Al-Marzouqi, was approved by the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Olympic Committee that was held in May 2023. The Commission identified key principles for its functions, which include independence, transparency in electoral procedures, impartiality, and innovation.
The Election Commission issued the list of electoral processes, which included the legislative framework for the elections to govern all stages of the electoral process, such as planning, receiving nominations, screening, voting, and announcing.
The Election Committee announced the final list of winners of the membership of the NOC Board of Directors, headed by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, for the 2021–2024 electoral cycle, where the total number of votes reached 33.
The National Olympic Academy, in collaboration with the Emirates Centre for Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine, organized in February 2023 at the headquarters of the General Sports Authority a course entitled "Sports Volunteering and Mechanisms of Sports Event Management," presented by Dr. Sherif Mahmoud Abu Al-Enein, an international expert in sports volunteering.
Participants received a certificate accredited by the National Olympic Academy and the Emirates Centre for Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine. The course included 3 major topics: the different types and styles of sports events, the relationship between volunteering and sports events, the criteria for recruiting volunteers, and their training methods for managing sports events.
This course was part of the National Olympic Academy's agenda of scientific events organized under a memorandum of understanding signed with the General Sports Authority and the Emirates Centre for Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine to exchange expertise and experiences and organize courses, workshops, and educational and awareness seminars related to sports.
In March 2023, at the headquarters of the General Sports Authority, the Olympic Academy, in collaboration with the Emirates Centre for Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine, organized the scientific workshop "Artificial Intelligence and Digitization of Sports Institutions," presented by lecturer Dr. Ehab Mohamed Ismail, an expert in artificial intelligence and digital systems in the sports field.
The workshop included 4 main topics: scientific concepts of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence in the sports field, the future integration between artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, artificial intelligence applications and systems in the sports field, and artificial intelligence applications and digital transformation in sports institutions.
For the first time in the history of the National Olympic Movement, the elections of the Athletes' Committee of the National Olympic Committee were held on August 16, 2023. This committee aims to discuss issues related to athletes and provide opinions and suggestions to the National Olympic Committee. The Committee collaborates with the competent governing bodies of the National Olympic Committee to approve the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Athletes presented and approved at the 133rd session of the International Olympic Committee in Buenos Aires in October 2018 on behalf of the Olympic Movement.
Supported by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee, Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa was elected as Chairman of the Athletes Committee and its representative on the Board of Directors of the Olympic Committee following his re-election from his colleagues to represent the Athlete Committee as a member of the Olympic Committee. Yousef Mirza Al Hammadi, Yousef Al Matrooshi and Safia Al Sayegh were elected to the General Assembly of the Olympic Committee in accordance with the statute of the Olympic Committee.
At the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee, the National Olympic Committee announced the formation of the UAE Sports Clubs Committee, the first of its kind in the Committee's history. It established a sports entity comprised of UAE club representatives. The Committee aims to improve communication channels and inform the General Assembly of the Olympic Committee of all proposals and opinions of its representatives, as well as any challenges they may face.
The UAE Sports Clubs Committee held a meeting following the nomination of its representatives from various sports councils and stakeholders at the state level. Nasser Mohammed Al Yamahi was elected as a Chairman of the Committee and was elected to represent the Committee in the General Assembly of the National Olympic Committee. Article (18-A5,6) of the statute for the membership of the General Assembly of the Olympic Committee includes the representative of the Military Sports Federation and the elected representative of the UAE sports clubs, where Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mahrizi was nominated as a representative of the Military Sports Federation.
Based on wise leadership directives on the importance of empowering youth and refining their knowledge and abilities in all sectors, and in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, President of the NOC, in March 2023, the NOC adopted the formation of the National Olympic Committee Youth Council, which included several experienced young and ambitious cadres that have creative and innovative ideas serving the reality of UAE sport to enhance the concept of Olympic culture and what it includes from noble principles, foundations, and values that benefit the community in general.
The Council complies with the regulations of youth councils and includes 9 members representing the age group of 18–35 years. It aims to employ and develop new and innovative methods and ideas presented by the youth, to work to enhance Olympic and sports culture for all categories of the community, to identify and promote the values and foundations of the NOC resulting from the values of the IOC, to address the youth community of the UAE and to communicate with them continuously, to prepare various visions and initiatives, and to integrate them with the activities and programs of the NOC.
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