Dubai, UAE – 24 June 2025 – The curtain came down on a spectacular season of youth sports at the Midea Dubai Schools Games Final Ceremony, held at Roxy Cinemas, Dubai Hills Mall, where Dubai’s most promising young athletes were celebrated in a glittering tribute to achievement, community, and future potential.

Held under the esteemed patronage of the Dubai Sports Council and organised by ESM, the Games concluded a historic fifth season that saw more than 84,000 students from 165 schools compete across 22 sports between October 2024 and June 2025. From football and basketball to fencing, swimming, padel, e-sports, and inclusive events for People of Determination, this edition sets new benchmarks in youth engagement and talent development.

The final ceremony, hosted with the generous support of Roxy Cinemas, gathered students, educators, government dignitaries, and event sponsors. Notable guests included H.E. Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council; H.E. Ghanem Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports; and H.E. Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council.

Spotlight on Youth Voices: Maryam Al Farsi Takes the Stage

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came from Maryam Al Farsi, a rising Emirati sprint sensation and national record holder, who delivered a heartfelt speech about the role of school sports in shaping her journey.

“Representing the UAE at international events like the Olympics began with opportunities just like these,” said Maryam. “The Dubai Schools Games offer a stage for young athletes to discover their abilities, build confidence, and dream bigger.”

Maryam, who clocked a personal best of 13.26s in the 100m Olympic preliminary heats at Stade de France, also holds the UAE junior and youth 100m record (13.04s). She was part of the UAE’s successful U18 relay team at the GCC Youth Games, and her presence reinforced the growing pathway from school-level athletics to the international stage.

Recognition of Champions

The ceremony honoured more than 300 standout student athletes, with GEMS Modern Academy claiming top honours in both school divisions:

Primary School Division:

• GEMS Modern Academy
• Jumeirah Primary School
• Dubai English Speaking School

Secondary School Division:

• GEMS Modern Academy
• GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail
• GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis

Lucky Winners Take Home Major Prizes

Adding excitement to the night were two high-profile giveaways:

• Midea Home Makeover Winner: Karina Miguel, who won AED 15,000 worth of Midea home appliances
• Emirates Getaway Winner: Razin M., awarded two return tickets to Istanbul

These prizes underscored the Games’ celebration of participation and school spirit beyond the field.

Leadership Reflections

Speaking during the ceremony, H.E. Khalfan Belhoul emphasised the Games’ alignment with national goals:

“This event is a living embodiment of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aiming to build a robust athletic ecosystem by fostering talent from the school level,” he said.

“The Midea Dubai Schools Games highlight the critical importance of encouraging students to engage in sports as a core element in building strong character, supporting physical and mental health, and fostering the discovery and development of athletic talents.”

Marco Vocale, Commercial Director at ESM, added:

“The 2024–2025 season has been exceptional in every sense—both in participation levels and in the unforgettable sporting moments we witnessed. We’re proud of every student, coach, and school that contributed to this success.”

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This year’s success was driven by dedicated partners and sponsors:
Midea, Almarai, Volkswagen by Al Nabooda, Skiply by RAKBANK, EMAHS, and Al Ain Water. The Games also benefited from Roxy Cinemas as venue partner, and the support of Danube Sports World and GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis, in hosting and technical facilitation across the season.

Building Tomorrow’s Champions

Over 9,000 student-athletes progressed to the final competition stages, giving talent scouts and sports clubs a dynamic pipeline to nurture future elite athletes. Organisers are already preparing for a bigger 2025–2026 edition, with plans to expand offerings, disciplines, and school engagement.

“We are creating golden opportunities for talent identification,” added H.E. Belhoul. “This will strengthen our national teams and deepen our sporting excellence across the UAE.”