Dubai: The UAE Muay Thai Youth Championship is scheduled to kick off on Friday, 15 August, at Hall 3 of the Dubai World Trade Centre. Organised by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, the event is part of the federation's competitive calendar and reflects its commitment to advancing the sport, offering top development opportunities, and elevating it to a global stage.
According to Emirates News Agency, the championship will include participants from various clubs in the UAE and abroad, aged between 10 to 17 years. They will compete in over 90 weight categories divided into four age groups: 10-11 years, 12-13 years, 14-15 years, and 16-17 years. The event kicks off with weigh-ins and medical checks on Wednesday, 13 August, at the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The preliminary rounds are set to take place on 15 August from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by the semi-finals on 16 August from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The final day, 17 August, will feature the championship bouts starting at 10 a.m., concluding at 7 p.m. with the crowning of the champions.
Ali Khouri, Board Member and Executive Director of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, stated that the championship is part of this season's competition calendar and aligns with the directives of H.E. Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi, President of the Federation. The federation aims to support youth ambitions and make effective use of the summer break to hone emerging talents. The event also serves as preparation for next month's Youth World Championship at Space 42 Arena.
Khouri emphasized that the championship offers an opportunity for clubs and fighters both from inside and outside the UAE. It provides a platform for the federation to assess fighter performance and discover talent to represent the national team at the Youth World Championship. The federation is committed to ensuring the best organisational standards and providing necessary resources to prepare the youth national team for the upcoming global stage. Preparations for the tournament are complete, with participation open to both domestic and international athletes to raise the competitive level and expand the sport's reach.