The UAE’s School Olympiad Charter was signed on Sunday by the National Olympic Committee (NOC), the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and the General Authority of Youth ‘&’ Sports Welfare in presence of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The signing of the charter came upon the cabinet’s approval of the School Olympic Games Project which aims to expand participation of school students in sports activities and discovering and nurturing sports talents.
Also in attendance at the signing ceremony were Chairman of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Education Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qattami and Acting Minister of Health and Chairman of the General Authority of Youth ‘&’ Sports Welfare Abdul Rehman Al Owais.
The project also aims to prepare a new generation of Olympic athletes, promote Olympic knowledge and principles and raise awareness of the significance of physical training as a way to preserve good health.
Chairman of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum commented “The Olympic Games Project is based on President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s approach which mandates nurturing the youth and enhancing its capabilities. It is also in realisation of the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum which drew up the government’s strategy and interest in schools and in a greater role for school sports as the foundation for promising talents capable of advancing the UAE’s stature at international sports arenas.” Al Qattami said:” the Education Ministry adopted the Olympic Games Project because its goals are in line with the Ministry’s strategy as well as with its interest in raising awareness of the signifigant of sports and physical training in enhancing public health of the nationals.” Al Owais said the basis of the Project are in line with the major entries of the Health Ministry’s strategy. The Ministry has prioritized the project in its efforts to raise awareness of sports and physical training among students as a way to prevent diseases and preserve public health.” The newly-approved School Olympic Games Project provides for launching sports contests at all public schools nationwide, the creation of sports federations in educational zones to prepare talented students as per Olympic regulations to qualify for school Olympic games finals. This includes all students under-18 students enrolled in public schools.
Also, the project provides for setting up sports centers in educational zones for continuous training and polishing skills according to technical plans approved by the NOC and in partnership with the member federations.
