Hamdan praises ‘National Service Athlete Programme'

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, witnessed the launch of the “National Service Athlete Programme,” a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Sports.

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The programme is designed to support elite Emirati athletes enlisted in national service by integrating them into tailored sports programmes.

It enables them to continue their training and skill development during their service period and to participate in competitions that impact their international rankings or qualifications for major global tournaments.

The launch was held at a special event organised by the Ministry of Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.

The event was attended by Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, and Mohamed Bin Mubarak Bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs.

During the event, Sheikh Hamdan met recruits forming the programme's first cohort.

Sheikh Hamdan reaffirmed that supporting elite athletes is a national priority aligned with the UAE leadership's vision of empowering Emiratis across all sectors, including sports, which plays a pivotal role in shaping character and enhancing the nation’s global profile by nurturing young national talent.