The executive team of the National Sports Day initiative reviewed the diverse proposals and ideas aimed at ensuring the success of the events of the ninth edition of the event, which is held annually in response to the call of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the State, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai - may God protect him - to designate a day for sports activities and community sports under the slogan "UAE Unites Us". This opens the door for everyone, including people of determination, seniors and children, to practice activities suitable for them, contributing to achieving happiness and positivity through a range of sports and recreational competitions held over 24 hours across the country.
This came during the first meeting of the National Sports Day executive team, which was held yesterday, Wednesday, following its formation being approved by the Board of Directors of the National Olympic Committee, chaired by His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Sulaiman, Board Member of the Committee, Team President, and in the presence of members Mohammed Saeed bin Darwish, Executive Director of the National Olympic Committee, Ahmed Barakat Al Abdouli, Director of Community Sports Department at the General Authority for Sports, Omar Al Kundi representing Dubai Sports Council, Khalid Mohammed Ahmed, Head of Organizing and Managing Sports Events Section at Sharjah Sports Council, Abdullah Ahmed Al Bakr, Head of Events Department at Ajman Tourism Development Department representing Ajman, Saeed Ali Al Ajal, Vice President of Sports For All Federation, Fatima Al Saqal, government communication executive at Umm Al Quwain Executive Council, and Fahad bin Jumaa representing Ras Al Khaimah.
The meeting began by emphasizing the importance of adopting ideas and proposals to ensure the success of the events of the ninth edition of the National Sports Day by organizing innovative activities that take into account the concept of sustainability, in light of the great successes achieved by the state in this important file in all sectors and the announcement of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State - may God protect him - extending the Year of Sustainability initiative to include the current year, with the aim of building on the success achieved during 2023.
The attendees also reviewed ways to enhance community participation in the National Sports Day and provide the largest possible number of sports programs and events in implementation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, President of the National Olympic Committee, President of the Higher Committee for the National Sports Day initiative, to design diverse sports activities and competitions suitable for all segments of society and different age groups; in order to achieve the desired benefit and spread the spirit of active participation among individuals, institutions, sectors, authorities and departments across the country and reach the best results; whether in terms of the number of participants, which witnessed the highest percentage of participation in 2019 compared to the rest of the editions, with 161,315 participants, or increasing the number of events and activities at the same time.
The attendees discussed the work stations for holding the ninth edition of the National Sports Day and the various preparations in all aspects, whether organizational or logistical. A summary of the past eight editions of the event, which was launched for the first time in 2015, was also reviewed. Since then, it has been associated with many sports and national initiatives and events that it succeeded in promoting by introducing participants to those events and their goals, such as the 9th Special Olympics MENA Regional Games Abu Dhabi 2018, and the 2019 Special Olympics World Games.
For his part, His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Sulaiman stressed the need to complete the rich journey of the National Sports Day initiative, which has always witnessed great interaction and unique participation; As it reflects the magnitude of passion and attachment to sports practice among various segments of society and the general mood of people on that day, which has become an important appointment on the UAE's annual sports events calendar, and a source of inspiration and encouragement for many individuals to turn to sports activities and allocate appropriate space for them in their daily life program.
Al Sulaiman added that the National Sports Day executive team has accumulated experiences in organizing and managing sports events, praising the high spirit and the level of ideas and suggestions presented by the team in the first meeting; Indicating a successful edition of the event, especially since each of them is an active member in their place of work and has been nominated to represent all the emirates of the country for coordination, preparation and implementation in light of the objectives set by the Higher Committee organizing the initiative since its first edition.