UAE Olympic Committee Gets New Name, Major Reforms Approved

Abu Dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, chaired the ordinary meeting of the Committee’s General Assembly, where members approved the Committee’s new name as the ‘UAE Olympic Committee’.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor said that the identity of national institutions is not limited to symbols or slogans, but reflects values rooted in the UAE’s heritage and the authenticity of its people. He noted that these values align with the Olympic Movement’s principles of excellence, respect and friendship, and strengthen sport’s role in promoting unity, integrity and positive societal values.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor highlighted key milestones in the Committee’s journey, starting with its establishment on 19 December 1979, followed by membership in the International Olympic Committee and the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees.

He also recalled major achievements, including:

• The UAE’s Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games

• Raising the UAE flag on an international podium for the first time at the 1992 Arab Games in Syria

• Winning the first continental medal at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima

• Securing the UAE’s first Olympic medal in 2004 through Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports and Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee, Faris Mohammed Al Mutawwa, Secretary General of the UAE Olympic Committee, and members of the Board of Directors and General Assembly.

New Strategic Priorities Announced

The General Assembly announced a strategic document outlining key priorities, including:

• Strengthening governance and sports management

• Developing sports leadership

• Empowering athletes

• Promoting Olympic culture and community wellbeing

Women’s Representation and Legal Amendments

Members approved the allocation of three seats for female representation on the Board of Directors. The Assembly also approved amendments to Article (5) and Article (40), paragraphs (b) and (c), of the Committee’s Statute.

Unified Election Systems Approved

The Assembly endorsed the Unified Electoral System and the Unified Electoral Appeals System for sports federations. These include:

• Formation of a Central Elections Committee

• Formation of an Electoral Appeals Committee
  to oversee election procedures and ensure transparency.

The UAE Olympic Committee will notify sports federations within 90 days to convene their general assemblies and include the two systems in their statutes to support alignment, transparency and good governance.

New Federations and Membership Approvals

The General Assembly approved the admission of the UAE Boxing Federation after it met the required criteria.

It also approved the inclusion of:

• Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation

• Higher Education Institutions Federation

• UAE Sports for All Federation

Reports and Participation Plans Approved

The Assembly approved the Committee’s technical and administrative report for 2025, as well as the UAE’s participation in:

• The 3rd Asian Youth Games – Bahrain 2025

• The 6th Islamic Solidarity Games – Riyadh 2025

The Olympic activity plan for 2026 was also approved.

Federation Name Changes

The Assembly approved the renaming of:

• UAE Swimming Federation to UAE Aquatics Federation

• UAE Billiards and Snooker Federation to Emirates Billiard Sports Federation

Ethics, Conduct and Medical Compliance

The meeting stressed the need to circulate the Values and Ethics Regulations and the Code of Conduct to all affiliated clubs and entities.

Sports federations will be required to sign an acknowledgement of compliance as a condition for participation in events held under the Committee’s umbrella. The Assembly also reaffirmed compliance with the medical code issued by the NOC Sports Medicine Committee before participating in events.

New Award and Regional Updates

As part of the proceedings, the Best Sports Federation Award for the Olympic cycle 2024–2028 was launched.

Members also reviewed:

• Unified regulations for establishing GCC sports federations received from the GCC General Secretariat

• Updates related to the Sports Law and Management Conference

• International Olympic Committee requirements for organisational provisions aligned with the Olympic Charter

Sports Arbitration Centre Reports Approved

The Assembly approved the administrative and financial report of the Emirates Sports Arbitration Centre for 2025, including the final accounts and auditor’s report for the same year.

Delegations Honoured for Medal Achievements

On the sidelines of the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor honoured the UAE delegation that won 31 medals at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, achieving notable results and record timings.

He also honoured the delegation that participated in the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia, where the UAE recorded its best performance across the event’s six editions with 27 medals.

Meeting with Sports Arbitration Centre Board

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor also met with the Board of Directors of the UAE Sports Arbitration Centre, chaired by Jamal Hamed Al Marri. He was briefed on the centre’s programmes and services aimed at strengthening integrity and transparency in resolving sports-related disputes.

The centre holds exclusive jurisdiction to review and adjudicate disputes within the sports sector, supporting fairness and a well-regulated competitive environment.