The fifth Dubai Schools Games honours 300+ student-athletes, highlights 84,000 participants, and showcases Dubai’s commitment to nurturing future sports talent.
Dubai: The fifth edition of the Dubai Schools Games, the largest student sports event in the emirate, concluded with a spectacular awards ceremony honouring over 300 outstanding student-athletes. Organised by the Dubai Sports Council in partnership with ESM and sponsored by Midea, the 2024–2025 season marked a record-breaking milestone with over 84,000 participants from 165 public and private schools.
Spanning nine months from October to June, students competed across 22 diverse disciplines, including football, volleyball, fencing, ice skating, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, e-sports, and even a teachers’ tournament. The initiative aims to identify and nurture future sporting talent in Dubai, promoting a healthy, competitive environment from grassroots levels.
H.E. Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, praised the programme for aligning with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision to make school sports the bedrock of national athletic excellence. He noted, “This initiative fosters character development, physical well-being, and the discovery of exceptional talent in a world-class sporting environment.”
A total of 9,000 student-athletes reached the final stages of competition. Top honours were awarded in both primary and secondary divisions. In the Primary Division, GEMS Modern Academy secured first place, followed by Jumeirah Primary School and Dubai English Speaking School. In the Secondary Division, GEMS Modern Academy again led, followed by GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail and GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis.
Primary Division:
- 🥇 GEMS Modern Academy
- 🥈 Jumeirah Primary School
- 🥉 Dubai English Speaking School
Secondary Division:
- 🥇 GEMS Modern Academy
- 🥈 GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail
- 🥉 GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis
The event also drew the attendance of senior officials, including H.E. Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, and H.E. Ghanem Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, underlining the importance of youth development through structured sports.
Marco Vocale, Commercial Director at ESM, praised the year’s growth, stating, “We witnessed unforgettable moments and remarkable sportsmanship. We’re committed to expanding this platform to reach even more students in future editions.”
As Dubai continues to position itself as a global hub for talent, the Dubai Schools Games will remain central to developing the emirate’s next generation of sports champions.
