A total of 850 male and female swimmers representing more than 90 nationalities will take part in the inaugural Talented Swimmers Championship, scheduled for 15–16 November at the Mohammed Bin Zayed City Swimming Pool in Abu Dhabi.
The event is organised by the UAE Committee for Talent Development and National Sports Support.
The organising committee, chaired by Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Under-Secretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports, announced the establishment of a specialised technical committee composed of Emirati and international coaches. This committee will assess swimmer performances according to specific criteria, including skill, speed, technique, and physical readiness, with the objective of identifying the most promising athletes for potential inclusion in future national teams.
According to the committee, this initiative marks a first-of-its-kind effort in local swimming championships and represents the beginning of a structured approach to talent identification and development in aquatic sports. It aligns with the Ministry of Sports’ vision to create a sustainable system for nurturing gifted athletes across the UAE.
The championship has attracted strong interest from clubs and academies, with notable participation from Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, Fujairah Club, Al Hamriya Club, and Maliha Club, which are fielding large numbers of Emirati swimmers, alongside wide participation from private academies.
The organising committee confirmed that preparations are well underway to ensure the success of the championship on both organisational and technical fronts, providing a professional and competitive environment that allows swimmers to demonstrate their abilities.
(Inputs from WAM)
