Thousands of pupils from public and private schools across Dubai took part in the opening stage of the Midea Dubai Schools Games, with competitions held in football, athletics, fencing and laser shooting.
The event is organised by the Dubai Sports Council, with ESM as the operating partner. Officials said the early numbers point to growing interest in school sport and a wider push to build clearer pathways for young athletes.
Issa Sharif, director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, said the tournament is designed to help clubs and organisers spot talent early. He added that school competitions can play a role in developing athletes for higher levels in the years ahead.
Gems Metropole Mustangs at Al Nasr Club
Football
Football drew the largest entry, with 2,556 students forming 225 teams at Al Nasr Club. The final rounds featured 1,440 students from 38 schools, across Under-9 to Under-16 age groups for both boys and girls.
GEMS Modern Academy and GEMS Wellington Academy collected top performance awards, with schools including Lycée Français, Saint-Marc, the German International School and GEMS Dubai American Academy also involved.
Fencing at GEMS School of Research and Innovation
Fencing and laser shooting
Fencing was staged at GEMS School of Research and Innovation, with 58 male and female fencers from 30 schools. Organisers said students from the host school stood out in the boys’ sabre category, while Swiss International School produced strong results in the girls’ events.
Laser shooting, which combines running with target accuracy using laser pistols, featured 48 students from 15 schools.
Athletics at Dubai Police Officers Club track in Al Jaddaf
Athletics
Athletics took place at the Dubai Police Officers Club track in Al Jaddaf, with 1,146 students competing across 129 teams. A total of 600 athletes from 40 schools advanced to the finals, across sprinting, jumping and throwing events.
Paris Lee, general manager of Midea Middle East and Africa, said the company’s backing is aimed at supporting young participants through sport.
Organisers said the wider programme is built around large-scale school participation, with multiple events intended to help identify talent and build confidence through competition.
