Abu Dhabi: The fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi Sports Championship for Schools and Universities has marked its biggest and most successful season yet, with more than 33,000 students from 389 schools and 13 universities across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Region, and Al Dhafra competing across 18 sports disciplines through a series of competitions held from November 2024 to May 2025.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr Bashaer AlMatrooshi, Executive Director - Talent Enablement Sector at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), stated that the championship reflects an unwavering commitment to nurturing student potential through sports. With over 33,000 participants, this was the biggest and most inspiring edition yet, and ADEK is proud of every student who competed, especially those who earned recognition for their talent and determination, representing the best of Abu Dhabi's future.
Talal Mustafa Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, highlighted that the Abu Dhabi Sports Championship reflects ongoing support for the school and university sports ecosystem, which is the foundation for building a promising generation of athletes. The record-breaking participation and strong engagement this season confirm the tremendous potential that exists among youth. The collaboration with ADEK and the Ministry of Education promotes a culture of sports among students and provides a platform to discover and nurture talent that will serve the future of sports in the UAE.
The championship is part of ADEK's broader talent development programme and brings to life the vision behind ADEK's Physical Education and School Sports Policy. It aims to foster a culture of activity and well-being in schools through a comprehensive PE curriculum, a physical literacy framework, and active parent engagement.
The closing awards ceremony, hosted by ADEK and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), saw leadership from across the three entities in attendance. Outstanding schools were recognised for their participation and performance through a dedicated championship leaderboard featuring public, private, and charter schools.
More than 500 students were celebrated as part of the medaling ceremony, recognised not only for their performance but also for their sportsmanship and perseverance throughout the season. The flagship event welcomed more than 10,000 attendees, including families, sports enthusiasts, and members of the wider community, who experienced student competitions and enjoyed student-led entertainment, live performances, and a fan zone featuring tech-powered challenges and interactive experiences.