On 5 October, 195 teams from 50 higher-education institutions begin the university season. The fifth UAE School Games follow on 20 October, with wrestling and basketball added for the first time. WAM reports that qualifying will begin after registration closes. The school programme now covers 15 sports for the 2026-27 academic year.
The university competition enters its third edition with seven sports. Finals are scheduled for April 2027. Seven sports in all.
Ministry of Education official Amna Al Saleh said the school games are expected to encourage self-assessment, discipline, perseverance and teamwork among students.
Two new options for school competitors
The school programme is expected to draw pupils from government and private schools across all the Emirates after registration closes. According to WAM, its 15 sports are football, athletics, archery, badminton, laser run, table tennis, obstacle course racing, chess, fencing, judo, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, swimming, wrestling and basketball.
The tournament is held under the Ministry of Sports, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Dubai Sports Council, Sharjah Sports Council and national sports federations. Ferrero Gulf is among its partners.
Wrestling and basketball give students two more ways to take part in organised school sport. More choice for pupils.
WAM also reports that the tournament's partnership network includes local and educational-sector organisations alongside Ferrero Gulf. The games are part of a wider effort involving government bodies and sports organisations to reach students across the country.
University competition spans seven sports
The university programme will feature football, basketball and volleyball in team competition. Individual events include obstacle racing, swimming, athletics and cycling. Male and female participants can compete. The programme is organised under the Ministry of Sports in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum is Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports and president of the UAE School and University Sports Federation. He told WAM that schools and universities are important sources of sporting talent. He described the games as national platforms for developing sport in educational settings and identifying talent.
Amna Al Saleh, Assistant Undersecretary for Curriculum and Assessment at the Ministry of Education, said the school tournament invests in students' abilities and supports their physical and social development.
Wrestling and basketball widen the choices for school competitors. The university programme brings 50 institutions into a seven-sport competition. Together, the programmes give schools and universities a larger part in sports participation and talent development.
