The Educational Zones Committee of School Olympics recently held its 2nd meeting to discuss the finals of the UAE School Olympics in May of this year and other issues. The competition consolidates the principles of Olympics and sports, while promoting the spirit of challenge, excellence, and friendly competitiveness amongst UAE students. Held at the headquarters of Ministry of Education, the meeting reviewed the reports of the Committee's field visits to the Olympics training centers. It also went over the procedures being followed to achieve Olympics objectives. The Olympic goals are aimed at laying down the foundations of school sports activities and promoting student fitness and physical health. They are in line with the strategic plan of the Ministry of Education to create a healthy school environment.
The Committee also approved the schedule for the UAE School Olympics preliminary rounds being staged at the educational zones as follows: Gymnastics Competition for Boys in Fujairah Education Zone; Gymnastics Competition for Girls in the Eastern area of Sharjah; Swimming Competition for Boys in Dubai Education Zone; Swimming Competition for Girls in RAK Education Zone; Shooting Competition for Boys and Girls in Al Dhaid Cultural & Sports Club; Athletics Competition for Boys and Girls in Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped in Sharjah; Archery Competition for Boys and Girls in Ajman Education Zone; and Fencing Competition for Girls in Dubai Education Zone.
In addition, the meeting discussed the preparations for the 2014 UAE School Olympics finals as well as the locations and distribution of the games. It also tackled the procedures in organizing the working committees, including the UAE School Olympics Executive Office, supervisory committee of the preliminary rounds, and the regulatory work committees of the Olympics finals. This aims to ensure the smooth staging of the various competitions of this year's School Olympics, the largest sports event of its kind.
The meeting was headed by Hassan Lootah, Director of Physical Education at Ministry of Education and Head of Educational Zones Committee in School Olympics. He stressed the importance of the UAE School Olympics as a national project aimed at promoting the culture of sports as a way of a life. He said it is also a means to building a well-qualified generation that is able to competitively represent the country in international and continental sports events.
Lootah added that the Educational Zones Committee of School Olympics is committed to complete all regulatory preparations at the highest standards to reflect the leading position of the event. The competition is considered a key factor in building future sports champions as government expressed its support to the event.
For his part, Mahmoud Mansour, Sports Advisor at Fujairah Education Zone, said: "The UAE Ministry of Education adopted the School Olympics project for the many objectives it holds in parallel with the Ministry's strategic plan and the vision of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee (NOC). Preparations are in full swing at the moment to ensure that the competition will be successful. The School Olympics aims to position sports as a catalyst of excellence and skills building for the younger generation, with an objective of winning international Olympics medals."
The 2nd edition of the UAE School Olympics finals will be held in early May 2014 at the Dubai Police Officers Club and Al Wasl Club. It will include a variety of games, including athletics, gymnastics and swimming as basic games; and fencing, shooting and archery as optional games. The Olympics is the ideal platform to explore and select best sports elements while showcasing the readiness and abilities of UAE-based schools to support national teams and highlight the students' interest in sports.
