Latest news with #MinistryofSports
Web Release
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Web Release
Promising Emirati students golfers debut at World School Golf Championship, win two silver medals and fourth-place finish
The United Arab Emirates, represented by the UAE School and University Sports Federation, participated in the inaugural edition of the World School Golf Championship. Held under the supervision of the International School Sport Federation (ISF), the competition took place from July 14 to 21, 2025, at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco. The delegation was headed by H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports and President of the UAE School and University Sports Federation. The team comprised four players competing across two junior age categories, two in the Under-15 category and two in the Under 18-Category. The UAE's participation was aimed at reinforcing the presence of the UAE national teams in the international competitions and promoting golf as a key sport across the schools in the country, in collaboration with the Emirates Golf Federation. The Emirati players performed impressively in their debut appearance, with Alexander Dimitri winning a silver medal in the Under-15 category and Aasiya Saleem securing a silver medal in the Under-18 category. Their notable achievements contributed to the UAE team placing fourth overall among 16 participating countries from around the world, indicating the advancement of school golf in the UAE and the nation's unwavering commitment to nurturing young sporting talents. H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum highlighted that this participation underscores a key milestone in the continuous efforts to support national talents, appreciating the remarkable performance of the Emirati team during the championship. The achievement is a testament to the high level of competitiveness and excellence that golf has attained across the nation. He said, 'At the Ministry of Sports, we remain committed to offering comprehensive support and a nurturing environment for the development of sports talents across all age groups, especially at the school level, which serves as a key foundation for recognising and cultivating future champions. These efforts are further strengthened through the close collaboration between the UAE School and University Sports Federation and relevant sports federations.' He said: 'Fostering continuous participation in international competitions remains a central focus of our strategy to boost the UAE's presence on the global sports stage. In line with our commitment to this vision, we have specially designed programs to equip national teams with promising talents and prepare the next generation of Emirati athletes to thrive in major sporting events. Our approach reflects the vision of our wise leadership, which places great emphasise on empowering the youth and creating an environment that supports both academic and athletic excellence.' This participation is part of the national broader efforts to advance school sports and offer competitive platforms for emerging athletes across a wide array of disciplines. In partnership with the UAE School and University Sports Federation, the Ministry aims to build a strong foundation of high-performing athletes, cultivate future Olympians, and enhance the country's achievements at regional and global levels.
Mid East Info
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Mid East Info
Promising Emirati students golfers debut at World School Golf Championship, win two silver medals and fourth-place finish
The United Arab Emirates, represented by the UAE School and University Sports Federation, participated in the inaugural edition of the World School Golf Championship. Held under the supervision of the International School Sport Federation (ISF), the competition took place from July 14 to 21, 2025, at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco. The delegation was headed by H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports and President of the UAE School and University Sports Federation. The team comprised four players competing across two junior age categories, two in the Under-15 category and two in the Under 18-Category. The UAE's participation was aimed at reinforcing the presence of the UAE national teams in the international competitions and promoting golf as a key sport across the schools in the country, in collaboration with the Emirates Golf Federation. The Emirati players performed impressively in their debut appearance, with Alexander Dimitri winning a silver medal in the Under-15 category and Aasiya Saleem securing a silver medal in the Under-18 category. Their notable achievements contributed to the UAE team placing fourth overall among 16 participating countries from around the world, indicating the advancement of school golf in the UAE and the nation's unwavering commitment to nurturing young sporting talents. H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum highlighted that this participation underscores a key milestone in the continuous efforts to support national talents, appreciating the remarkable performance of the Emirati team during the championship. The achievement is a testament to the high level of competitiveness and excellence that golf has attained across the nation. He said, 'At the Ministry of Sports, we remain committed to offering comprehensive support and a nurturing environment for the development of sports talents across all age groups, especially at the school level, which serves as a key foundation for recognising and cultivating future champions. These efforts are further strengthened through the close collaboration between the UAE School and University Sports Federation and relevant sports federations.' He said: 'Fostering continuous participation in international competitions remains a central focus of our strategy to boost the UAE's presence on the global sports stage. In line with our commitment to this vision, we have specially designed programs to equip national teams with promising talents and prepare the next generation of Emirati athletes to thrive in major sporting events. Our approach reflects the vision of our wise leadership, which places great emphasise on empowering the youth and creating an environment that supports both academic and athletic excellence.' This participation is part of the national broader efforts to advance school sports and offer competitive platforms for emerging athletes across a wide array of disciplines. In partnership with the UAE School and University Sports Federation, the Ministry aims to build a strong foundation of high-performing athletes, cultivate future Olympians, and enhance the country's achievements at regional and global levels.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Artificial grass is carcinogenic? Why authorities in Europe are removing these from Football grounds
Synthetic turf has increasingly become a commonly used medium for playing soccer around the world because of its low-maintenance traits, like being weather-proof and playable year-round. But recent findings about this material are changing this belief, by bringing into light the hidden dangers behind the artificial shine. New research, especially in the Netherlands and Australia, is challenging long-held beliefs about the safety and environmental impact of these rubber-infused fields. Surprisingly, despite its innumerable benefits, the Dutch are planning to phase out artificial turf on sports fields starting in 2030, by replacing it with natural grass. Their decision comes after studies showed alarmingly high levels of toxic rubber infill used on football pitches. What toxins are present in turf, and why are nations reducing their usage One of the most toxic contents in the turf is the rubber crumb used as infill, which are tiny pellets made from recycled car tires. According to the Ministry of Sports, Netherlands, covering 60 Dutch football clubs, it was found that 58 fields had between 1.5 and 3.7 times more carcinogenic chemicals than allowed in consumer products. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo These fields contained toxic substances such as arsenic, benzene, carbon black, heavy metals like lead and mercury, raising serious health concerns. Apart from that, across the US, soccer coach Amy Griffin from the University of Washington compiled a list of 237 athletes, mostly goalkeepers, who spent more time sliding on artificial grass and later developed cancer. Although a Washington State health department review didn't find definitive proof of causal links, Griffin warns that 'we can't definitively say they are safe... there is every reason to be concerned about artificial grass pitches', as cancer specialist Bob Lowenberg said to the Sports ministry of the Netherlands. Health experts give in their opinions According to a report by NL Times, the Netherlands' RIVM agency concluded no strong evidence links turf to cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. Similarly, American studies, including those by Connecticut and Massachusetts public health departments, have not confirmed elevated cancer risk. Still, many chemicals in rubber crumb, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known or suspected carcinogens. How have nations responded to these discoveries? In response to growing evidence, several countries are taking action. The Netherlands plans to phase out artificial turf from 2030. The EU has proposed banning rubber crumb from sports pitches by 2031. Meanwhile, in Australia's New South Wales, 181 synthetic fields have also raised concerns about environmental and health impacts.
Web Release
21-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Ministry of Sports organises second ‘UX Lab' of 2025 to enhance sports licensing services and streamline user experience
The Ministry of Sports held the second 'User Experience Lab' (UX Lab) of 2025 to enhance customer experience for sports clubs, companies, and all private-sector sports institutions, with regard to obtaining four key sports licensing services – issuing, renewal, activity additions and data updates. The initiative is a part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance its services, aligning with the sports sector's digital transformation strategy, aimed at advancing the goals of the 'Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme'. It highlighted the challenges faced by private-sector sports organisations when submitting license applications and familiarised them with the various services through a comprehensive simulation of the digital customer journey, analysis of current steps and procedures, as well as customer consultation. H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, attended the event, along with technical teams from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the Ministry's Customer Happiness Office. At the end of the Lab, His Excellency honored the attendees representing the Ministry's private sector partners. Mr Mohammed Nasser Amer, Manager of Customer Happiness Office at the Ministry of Sports, reaffirmed that the 'UX Lab' is critical to ensuring user participation in service evaluation and redesign processes. He remarked: 'We strive to empower our partners in the national sports sector and private-sector, ensuring that they play a key role in the development of the sports services ecosystem. Therefore, they are deeply aware of the present challenges and well-equipped to devise suitable solutions. Improving customer experiences is not just about simplifying the process, but also about designing an integrated and comfortable journey that meets customers' needs and aspirations, while delivering real benefit.' He further stated: 'This transformation needs to happen by analysing real-life user journeys, listening to user feedback and determining how to best leverage the Ministry's sports services with ease. Hence, we have organised the Lab to transform day-to-day challenges faced by private-sector sports entities into opportunities, which can enhance the performance and quality of sports licensing services, in line with government directives, while supporting the broader sports investment ecosystem.' The event featured interactive one-hour sessions with representatives from across five private-sector sports organisations. Each session showcased the complete licensing application journey, identifying potential improvements from the customers' perspective. In addition, solutions were proposed to streamline procedures, reduce steps and processing time of services, and enhance administrative integration, reinforcing sports governance excellence in the UAE. The Ministry of Sports is committed to implement exceptional initiatives across its work teams, with an aim of improving service standards and customer satisfaction. Aligning with this, the entity strives to design government sports services that are transparent and user-friendly, further supporting the growth of the private sports sector, which is an integral facet of the UAE's comprehensive development ecosystem.
Broadcast Pro
21-07-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Ministry of Sports hosts second UX Lab of 2025 to enhance licensing services
The initiative aligns with the sports sector's digital transformation strategy and supports the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by streamlining procedures and boosting service quality. The Ministry of Sports has held the second edition of its 'User Experience Lab' (UX Lab) for 2025, as part of its broader initiative to improve customer experience across the sports sector. This session focused on streamlining four essential sports licensing services – issuing, renewal, activity additions and data updates – for clubs, companies and private-sector sports organisations. The initiative supports the Ministry's digital transformation strategy and aligns with the objectives of the 'Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme.' The lab aimed to identify and address challenges encountered by private-sector sports entities during the licensing process. Participants engaged in a full simulation of the digital customer journey, which included analysis of current procedures and customer consultation to evaluate pain points and service delivery gaps. His Excellency Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, was present at the event, alongside technical representatives from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and members of the Ministry's Customer Happiness Office. At the conclusion of the session, His Excellency honoured key attendees representing the Ministry's private-sector partners. Mohammed Nasser Amer, Manager of Customer Happiness Office at the Ministry of Sports, reaffirmed that the 'UX Lab' is critical to ensuring user participation in service evaluation and redesign processes. He remarked: 'We strive to empower our partners in the national sports sector and private‑sector, ensuring that they play a key role in the development of the sports services ecosystem. Therefore, they are deeply aware of the present challenges and well-equipped to devise suitable solutions. Improving customer experiences is not just about simplifying the process, but also about designing an integrated and comfortable journey that meets customers' needs and aspirations, while delivering real benefit.' He further stated: 'This transformation needs to happen by analysing real-life user journeys, listening to user feedback and determining how to best leverage the Ministry's sports services with ease. Hence, we have organised the Lab to transform day-to-day challenges faced by private‑sector sports entities into opportunities, which can enhance the performance and quality of sports licensing services, in line with government directives, while supporting the broader sports investment ecosystem.' The UX Lab featured a series of interactive one-hour sessions with five private-sector sports organisations. These sessions mapped out the complete licensing application process from the customer's point of view, offering suggestions to streamline steps, reduce processing time, and improve administrative integration. The goal was to reinforce the UAE's standards of excellence in sports governance. The Ministry of Sports reaffirmed its commitment to rolling out innovative initiatives across its teams to raise service quality and boost customer satisfaction. As part of this effort, the Ministry is focused on developing transparent, user-centric sports services that will further empower the private sector, which plays a vital role in the UAE's comprehensive development landscape.
