The third edition of the UAE Wrestling Federation Cup will take place on May 10 at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Organised by the UAE Wrestling Federation, the tournament will feature more than 160 athletes representing 14 clubs and academies from across the country.
The competition marks the conclusion of the 2025-2026 wrestling season and reflects the sport’s growing popularity and development within the UAE’s sports ecosystem.
Athletes competing in the Under-13 and Under-17 categories will participate in matches held under international technical and organisational standards, with the event aimed at strengthening athlete development and competitive experience.
The federation said the tournament serves as an important platform for identifying emerging talent, expanding grassroots participation, and preparing athletes for future regional and international competitions.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Saeed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan said the event forms part of the federation’s long-term strategy to strengthen the sport across multiple age groups.
“This tournament represents an important platform for strengthening competition among clubs and academies while providing a professional environment that enables athletes to refine their skills and gain valuable experience,” he said.
The federation noted that the latest edition builds on the success of the previous two tournaments, which helped increase participation and strengthen wrestling’s visibility within the local sports community.
Officials say the federation is continuing to focus on developing a structured pathway for young athletes through tournaments, training programmes, and talent development initiatives designed to build future national teams.
The UAE has increasingly expanded investments in youth sports development and international sporting infrastructure as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s position within regional and global sports.
Industry observers say combat sports and wrestling continue seeing rising participation across the Middle East, supported by growing institutional investment, academy expansion, and increased interest in youth athletic programmes.
The federation added that the tournament aligns with its broader vision of building an integrated sports ecosystem
With inputs from WAM
