# Youth and amateur sports championships in UAE and Saudi

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/youth-and-amateur-sports-championships-in-uae-and-saudi
> Updated: 2026-10-12T20:31:11.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3.

Sports championships and athletic initiatives are expanding across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Recent combat sports competitions have concluded, including the Emirates Youth Muay Thai Championship in Abu Dhabi and the Kingdom Taekwondo Championship in Riyadh. The Muay Thai event, part of the ‘Emirates Champions Season 2026-2027’, featured 790 participants from 51 clubs. In Riyadh, the Taekwondo championship involved 47 teams, with Al Hilal securing first place in the male category and Al Qadsiah taking the top position in the female category.

In the UAE, the 11th Al Salam Cycling Championship has been announced, scheduled to run from December 27, 2026, to March 14, 2027. Recognized as a major amateur event, it will feature five races with a total prize pool of AED 3.695 million.

Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Sports Championship for Schools has been launched through a partnership between the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Involving over 350 schools across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, the year-long initiative covers 19 disciplines. The program includes an Elite League for U17 and U19 students focusing on sports like football, basketball, and jiu-jitsu, alongside a tournament format for students aged nine to 19 covering disciplines such as rugby, archery, chess, and wrestling.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-12: Abu Dhabi launches school sports championship for 350+ schools

Abu Dhabi has launched a new school sports championship involving over 350 schools and 19 disciplines to foster student athletic development across the emirate.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/abu-dhabi-launches-school-sports-championship-for-350-schools

### 2026-10-10: UAE launches major cycling and school sports championships

Major sporting initiatives are launching in the UAE, including the 11th Al Salam Cycling Championship in Dubai and a massive multi-discipline school sports championship involving 350 schools in Abu Dhabi.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uae-launches-major-cycling-and-school-sports-championships

### 2026-10-10: Youth combat sports championships conclude in UAE and Saudi Arabia

Youth combat sports championships conclude in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, featuring Muay Thai in Abu Dhabi and Taekwondo in Riyadh with hundreds of young athletes competing.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/youth-combat-sports-championships-conclude-in-uae-and-saudi-arabia

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Cite as: Youth and amateur sports championships in UAE and Saudi. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/youth-and-amateur-sports-championships-in-uae-and-saudi