Dubai: The Ministry of Sports has launched the 'Talent Committee Platform', a national initiative led by the UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support (UAETSS), aimed at transforming how sporting talent is identified and developed across the nation.
According to Emirates News Agency, the announcement was made during a ceremony in Dubai attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Sports; and Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector and Chairman of the UAETSS. The event also featured prominent sports figures, investors, club and federation representatives, and a number of athletes.
The platform is designed as a centralized access point for various stakeholders within the sports ecosystem, including athletes, coaches, scouts, clubs, and educational institutions. Integrated with the Ministry's Sportifai platform, it allows for real-time, data-driven performance tracking and transparent evaluation of athletic development.
Dr. Al Falasi highlighted that this launch represents a significant step in creating a smart and sustainable sports system. He noted that the platform supports early-stage talent identification through structured development pathways, digital governance, and partnerships, connecting schools, academies, clubs, and federations under a national framework for performance enhancement and athlete discovery.
He further emphasized that the initiative aligns with the National Sports Strategy 2031, focusing on increasing the number of Emirati athletes eligible for the Olympic Games. The priority is to establish a sustainable national system to identify and develop talent to achieve the highest levels of competitive performance.
Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri expressed gratitude to all sponsors and supporters of the initiative, underscoring their critical role in empowering athletes and building a robust national sports ecosystem.
Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum stated that the platform is crucial to the Ministry's digital transformation, integrating analytics and technical assessment with tailored development pathways. It ensures fair and transparent evaluation and offers tools to monitor progress, supporting athletes' academic and sporting development. The platform facilitates structured training, competition exposure, and technical support, ensuring balanced growth and preparing athletes for global competition.
Currently in its pilot phase, the platform is set for a public launch in early July. During the ceremony, 58 athletes were announced as the first cohort to join the platform. Selected through a rigorous evaluation involving federations and scouts, these athletes represent 13 sports: badminton (12 athletes), swimming (7), archery (7), taekwondo (6), athletics (5), chess (5), rowing and sailing (4), fencing (3), shooting (2), golf (2), football (2), table tennis (2), and triathlon (1).
The selection process followed two tracks: direct nominations by federations and scouting during the School Games finals, supported by PlayerMaker and Precision Football using advanced digital tools.
A presentation during the event highlighted the platform's role in national sports development and outlined registration processes. The event concluded with the Sports Giving Award ceremony, honoring key supporters of the UAETSS.
Gold-tier supporters include MAIR Group, Industries, Al Waha Capital, Dolphin Energy Limited, Al Dhahira Holding Group, HSBC Bank, Dr. Ali Saeed bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Airports, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, the Economic Balance Council, and the National Marine Dredging Company.
Silver-tier supporters include Etisalat, Lulu Group, Aldar Properties, Seddiqi Holding Group, Binouna Al Gharbia Group, Al Hilal Bank, du, Dr. Abduljaleel Abdulrahman Al Bulooki, Al Masaood Company, Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Acron Trading and Transport Company, Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Umair Travel Agency, Apparel Group, Al Baraka International Investment, and Emirates Automobile Club.
Bronze-tier supporters include Sadiq Fath Al Khaja, Abdulhamid Abdulrahman Al Khouri, Rashid Mubarak Al Hajri, Mohammed Rasool Khouri and Sons, and Mohammed Abduljaleel Al Faheem.
Established in 2021, the UAETSS plays a pivotal role in developing athletic talent through collaboration with sports federations, clubs, and academic institutions. Its strategic goals encompass enhancing talent identification, creating a supportive development environment, and providing access to world-class training, coaching, and competitions to nurture athletes to the highest international standards.