[UAE,
April 14, 2014] – The first national
qualifying rounds of the second edition of the School Olympics start
today (Monday, April 14, 2014) and will extend until April 29, 2014.
The final phase will be held next month at the Dubai Police Officers
Club. Sports competitions for girls aged 13 to 14 are currently being
staged at various educational zones as follows:
archery at the Ajman Education Zone,
shooting at the Al Dhaid Cultural & Sports Club, and
fencing at ABN Model School.
Generation
- Building
The School Olympics
is considered one of the most important programs launched by the
government in support of school activities that enhance the level of
physical and technical skills of students. This project builds on
the vision of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Chairman of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the
Supreme Committee for the Olympic Games, to champion the essence of
National Sports – the youth.
The holding of
various sports and physical fitness activities across the entire
country and the emphasis of their importance helps ensure the
formation of a generation capable of representing the state in all
regional and international competitions and proudly raising
the country’s flag
on the winners’ podiums.
Desired
Objectives
The Executive Office
of the Olympics headed by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum aims to achieve the various objectives behind the
establishment of the program, such as the selection of sporting
talents and the full development of student abilities through the
fostering of values upholding sporting and Olympic
principles. The
Office also wants to inculcate a love for fair competition, to
identify and address challenges, and to promote and support the role
of school sports in harnessing the full potential of youths. It is
currently drawing greater awareness on the importance of adopting a
culture of sports to maintain overall health and fitness.
Organization and
Arrangement
The Team in charge
of the Olympics continues to oversee the last phase of the event to
ensure that the venues are in order and fully capable of hosting the
finals. The deciding matches are opportunities for students from
around the country to give their best and deliver excellent
performances.
Commenting on the
launch, Hassan Lootah, Director of Physical Education at the
Ministry of Education and Head of the Educational Zones Committee
handling the School Olympics, said: “The School Olympics is
considered an important national athletic and cultural program
that upholds the ideals of the Olympic movement and enhances national
identity through the holding of competitions supported by sports
federations and national teams. It builds a young base of promising
athletes from which the national teams can recruit exceptional
talents.”
“During this
event’s second edition we will invest on the discovery of promising
and talented young athletes engaged in various school-organized
sports,” Lootah concluded.
