Faris Al Mutawwa: Riyan Malhan’s Gold Marks a Historic Milestone for UAE Sport

·        Achievement reflects the results of investing in young talent and strengthens the UAE’s Olympic ambitions

·        Al Kaabi and Huda Al Ali compete in archery round of 32; Moaz Wael faces Ghanaian boxer in quarter-finals

·        UAE ranks 25th in global medal standings

His Excellency Faris Mohammed Al Mutawwa, Secretary General of the UAE Olympic Committee, extended his sincere congratulations and best wishes to His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, on the historic achievement of UAE national badminton team player Riyan Malhan in winning the gold medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the UAE’s first gold medal in its history at this Olympic event. He stressed that the achievement reflects the development of the Olympic movement in the UAE and strengthens its standing on the world sports map.

His Excellency praised the outstanding performances and admirable spirit displayed by Riyan Malhan throughout his campaign, and his success in reaching the podium after beating opponents from countries with long-established badminton traditions, including Malaysia, China, Thailand and France. He noted that the achievement reflects the player’s abilities and competitive capabilities, which qualify him to achieve outstanding results at continental and international levels.

Al Mutawwa stressed that winning an Olympic medal at youth level is an important step towards achieving similar success at the Summer Olympic Games, given the opportunities these events provide to compete against the world’s best athletes, gain competitive experience and boost self-confidence at an early age, helping equip them to compete at major sporting events in the future.

He welcomed the rise in the UAE’s tally at the Youth Olympic Games to two medals, following the silver won by equestrian Omar Al Marzooqi in showjumping at Buenos Aires 2018. He affirmed that adding the gold medal at Dakar 2026 marks a new milestone in the journey of UAE sport, reflects continued progress in performance and results, and underscores the importance of building on the gains of previous participations.

He explained that the UAE Olympic Committee had announced a comprehensive preparation strategy for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games, targeting age groups of athletes born between 2008 and 2011 and between 2010 and 2014. The strategy includes several key areas: identifying sporting talent, selecting promising athletes and developing their capabilities; implementing intensive training programmes; raising levels of physical preparation and psychological readiness; and providing opportunities to take part in preparatory and international championships in cooperation with the relevant sports federations.

He added that the strategy also covers technical and tactical preparation, through performance analysis and the development of suitable competition plans, and an integrated system of medical support and sports nutrition, as well as administrative and financial coordination and the provision of the resources needed to implement preparation and participation programmes, ensuring the right environment for athletes to achieve their best results.

Concluding, Al Mutawwa stressed the importance of continuing to work to a long-term vision aimed at preparing promising generations of athletes able to shoulder the responsibility of representing the nation at international events. He underlined that Olympic achievements begin with investing in young talent and providing the foundations for their success, and that Riyan Malhan’s gold is an incentive to redouble efforts and keep building on what has been achieved, with the aim of more accomplishments and raising the UAE flag on global podiums.

Al Kaabi and Huda Al Ali Contest Archery Round of 32

UAE national archery team members Khalifa Al Kaabi and Huda Al Ali compete in the round of 32 at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games this evening (Saturday). Al Kaabi will face Mauritius’ Yugveer Jagadish Bissessur, while Huda Al Ali will meet Romania’s Daria Graur, at Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

The draw for the boxing competition at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games has paired UAE national team boxer Moaz Wael with Ghana’s Robert Amartey in the 70kg quarter-finals next Tuesday evening at the Dakar Expo Centre. Wael is looking to book his place in the semi-finals and continue his journey towards competing for Olympic medals.

Moaz Wael: I Aspire to Compete for Youth Olympic Gold

UAE national boxing team member Moaz Wael stressed that representing the nation at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games is a source of pride, honour and great responsibility. He noted that his participation is the fruit of years of training, hard work and sacrifice, and expressed his aspiration to deliver a performance worthy of the UAE’s name and reflective of the support he has received throughout his sporting career.

Wael explained that his preparations for the Games included an intensive training programme focused on developing fitness, speed, strength and endurance, alongside improving the technical and tactical aspects and mental preparation. He stressed that boxing does not rely on physical strength alone but demands discipline, concentration, self-confidence and the ability to make quick decisions and carry out technical instructions under pressure.

He noted that during his preparations, he made a point of studying different boxing styles and practising a variety of scenarios in the ring, enhancing his ability to adapt to opponents and capitalise on his speed, good movement and ability to read the course of a bout. He affirmed that his goal is to deliver the best possible level in every bout and compete strongly for the gold medal.

He added that taking part in the Youth Olympics is an important milestone in his sporting career, given the opportunity it offers to compete against the world’s most prominent young talents and gain more experience. He stressed that his ambition extends to continuing to develop his level, reaching the podium at world championships and the senior Olympic Games, and raising the UAE flag at international sporting events.

UAE national cycling team member Sultan Al Hammadi continues his preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games through intensive training sessions focused on raising his physical and technical readiness ahead of the road race. His preparations are marked by focus, determination and ambition to deliver his best possible performance and represent the UAE honourably at this Olympic event.

UAE Ranks 25th in Global Medal Standings

China topped the overall medal standings at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with 14 medals: nine gold, three silver and two bronze. Japan followed in second place, also with 14 medals, including eight gold, while Russia ranked third with four gold and two silver medals.

Among Arab nations, Egypt led, ranking fourth globally with four gold medals and one bronze. The UAE placed 25th worldwide and joint third among Arab countries, with one gold medal, level with Saudi Arabia in the medal count. Jordan and Lebanon placed 48th globally, each with one silver medal.

UAE national badminton team player Riyan Malhan made history by winning gold in the boys’ singles event, beating France’s Mady Sow 2–0 in the final, giving the UAE its first-ever Youth Olympic gold medal and opening a new chapter in the journey of Emirati badminton.

UAE national equestrian team rider Alya Almheiri was also crowned champion, winning gold as part of Team Asia in the International Equestrian Federation’s team competitions held during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The title came in the FEI continental team competition, separate from the Games’ official Olympic medal programme.

The UAE is fielding its largest-ever delegation at the Youth Olympic Games, since the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010, with 12 athletes competing across nine sports.

The UAE is represented by Abdullah Al Ameri in swimming, Hamdan Al Mazmi in judo, Alya Almheiri in equestrian, Huda Al Ali and Khalifa Al Kaabi in archery, Sultan Al Hammadi in cycling, Charlotte Thurston in triathlon, the trio of Saeed Omar, Aisha Mohammed and Arwa Ali in athletics, Riyan Malhan in badminton, and Moaz Wael in boxing.

Five Athletes Continue the UAE’s Journey Tomorrow

The UAE delegation’s competitions continue tomorrow (Sunday) at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with five athletes taking part in three sports. Khalifa Al Kaabi competes in archery, while Sultan Al Hammadi takes part in the cycling road race.

In athletics, Aisha Mohammed contests the 400m semi-final in the women’s event, followed by Arwa Ali in the 100m semi-final and then Saeed Omar in the men’s 400m semi-final.