Special Olympics UAE will bring over 1,000 athletes to Abu Dhabi this June for the second UAE Games edition
The second UAE Games for People of Determination will take place in Abu Dhabi this June, bringing more than 1,000 athletes together for a growing national event led by Special Olympics UAE. First, the games will open in Dubai with artistic and rhythmic gymnastics at Wellfit Gymnastics Academy in Circle Mall. Then, the focus shifts firmly to the capital, where ADNEC Abu Dhabi and Zayed Sports City’s Khalifa International Bowling Center will host the main competitions.
This marks the second edition of the UAE Games, building on the success of the 2024 event in Abu Dhabi. This time, the scale is bigger. Athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities will compete alongside unified partners, students, coaches and technical teams from across the UAE. In addition, international delegations will join, with Special Olympics Morocco competing in 7-a-side football and Special Olympics Malta entering bocce and bowling.
The sports programme covers a wide range. Athletes will compete in men’s basketball, 3×3 women’s basketball, football, badminton, powerlifting, bocce and bowling. At the same time, the Motor Activity Training Program will run alongside these events, supporting athletes with higher support needs.
Meanwhile, Special Olympics UAE will host a Partners Platform Day during the games. Here, organisations will formalise partnerships, sign agreements and recognise contributions that support People of Determination in sport. The UAE Games take place every two years. In 2024, more than 600 athletes competed in Abu Dhabi. This year, the programme expands further, with initiatives like the Young Athletes Program, esports competitions and the Fit 5 fitness programme. As a result, the second UAE Games continue to push for wider inclusion, giving athletes more space to compete, connect and be seen.
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
