Dubai’s Team ORBIT has become the first UAE team to win a FIRST Tech Challenge Premier Event, securing two championship titles at the FTC İstanbul Premier Event in Türkiye.
DUBAI: Team ORBIT has made history by becoming the first team from the United Arab Emirates to win an international FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Premier Event, marking a major milestone for the country’s growing robotics and STEM education sector.
The Dubai-based team secured a remarkable double victory at the FTC İstanbul Premier Event, held in Türkiye from 26 to 28 June 2026. Competing against 77 of the world’s top robotics teams, ORBIT claimed both the Valens Division Winning Alliance title and the Overall Event Winning Alliance championship, making it the first UAE team to achieve the feat at an FTC Premier Event.
The victory is particularly significant because Team ORBIT was formed just six months ago. After qualifying through the UAE National Championship, the young team travelled to İstanbul and outperformed some of the world’s most experienced robotics programmes through consistent engineering excellence, teamwork and strategic performance.
Banson Thomas, Chief Mentor of Team ORBIT, described the achievement as a defining moment for the UAE’s robotics community.
“This is a historic moment not only for Team ORBIT but for the UAE robotics community as a whole. For a rookie team to achieve this on an international stage is a testament to the dedication, talent and determination of our students. We hope this success inspires more young people across the UAE to pursue robotics and innovation.”
The winning team comprised students from schools across Dubai, including Al Saad Indian School, Jumeirah College, Dubai International Academy, GEMS Modern Academy, Pristine Private School, Gulf Modern Academy, Pearl Wisdom School Dubai and Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou, reflecting the city’s diverse and collaborative education ecosystem.
Head Coach Ali Abdurahman said the success demonstrates the strength of the UAE’s investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
“The UAE has built a strong foundation for STEM education and innovation. This achievement reflects the opportunities available to young talent in the country and demonstrates that UAE students can compete with the very best in the world.”
Team Captain Abhiram Krishna said the victory was the result of months of commitment and teamwork.
“Six months ago, this team was just an idea. Today, we have created history for the UAE. Our resilience, teamwork and commitment have been extraordinary, and we believe this is only the beginning of an exciting journey ahead.”
The historic triumph reinforces Dubai’s growing reputation as a regional hub for innovation and youth talent while highlighting the increasing global competitiveness of Team ORBIT and the UAE’s next generation of STEM leaders.
