• We have taken the first steps to support obstacle course racing, expand the base of practitioners, and discover talent in the game by including it in upcoming editions of school and university games.
• Abdulrahman Abu Al-Shawareb: We seek to build an integrated institutional system that promotes the spread of obstacle sports locally and attracts international championships that support the global status and reputation of Emirati sports.
• Obstacle course sports combine physical fitness and mental skills to encourage community members to engage in physical activity in a fun, competitive sporting setting .
• Organizing more than 50 events over the past year reflects the growing community interest in playing the game within the country .
• The sport is popular in more than 77 countries, including 30 Asian countries affiliated with the International Obstacle Course Federation in Switzerland. Obstacle course federations have been established in eight Gulf and Arab countries .
• 9,000 male and female athletes, both citizens and residents, practice obstacle courses in various emirates across the country .

The Ministry of Sports has officially announced the establishment of a new federation, the UAE Obstacle Course Federation. The federation will be responsible for organizing and developing this modern sport, which has gained widespread popularity globally and is increasingly popular within the UAE. This exciting competitive sport combines high physical fitness, endurance, and mental skills.

Obstacle racing, in its various forms such as (OCR - Adventure - Ninja - CALISTHENICS - Obstacle Racing), is one of the sports that is widespread in more than 77 countries around the world, including 30 Asian countries distributed among four regional federations within the continent, under the umbrella of the International Obstacle Racing Federation, headquartered in Switzerland.

In this context, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, expressed his sincere wishes for success to the members of the Federation's Board of Directors, headed by His Excellency Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb. He emphasized that the Federation's announcement represents a significant milestone in the development of Emirati sports and aligns with the Ministry of Sports' efforts to diversify national sports, provide athletes with the opportunity to compete in new sports, and encourage the expansion of the community's base for practicing sports with the aim of building a healthy and active society.

His Excellency affirmed the Ministry of Sports' commitment to providing all means of support to enable the Federation to build an advanced organizational and technical system that contributes to discovering, refining, and nurturing talent, and works to host international championships that enhance the country's reputation and leading position on the global sports scene. His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi indicated that the first steps have been taken to support obstacle sports by including them in upcoming school and university games, based on the belief in the importance of investing in building a new generation of athletes capable of competing and achieving qualitative achievements in various sports.

For his part, His Excellency Abdulrahman Abu Al Shawareb, Chairman of the UAE Obstacle Course Federation, expressed his sincere thanks, along with the members of the Federation's Board of Directors, to the Ministry of Sports and His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, saying: "We are proud of the trust placed in us to lead the Federation following its official inception. We look forward to building an integrated institutional system that will contribute to spreading obstacle courses among various segments of Emirati society, enhancing physical fitness levels, and developing talent capable of representing the country in international obstacle course championships."

His Excellency affirmed that the Federation will work closely with the Ministry of Sports and relevant authorities to host and organize local, continental, and international competitions in the game, in accordance with the best international standards, especially given its rapid spread at all levels. He added, "In the coming period, we will focus on strengthening cooperation frameworks with all regional federations and the International Federation of the game, to consolidate relations and exchange expertise, in a way that supports the country's sports development process."

The practice of obstacle course sports has gained widespread popularity locally across various segments of society, with 52 sporting events registered across the country last year. Recent statistics indicate that the number of participants reached approximately 9,000 citizens and residents, which contributed to the decision to establish the UAE Obstacle Course Federation to oversee the sport.

Dubai hosted the World Obstacle Challenge Championship, organized by the Dubai Police General Command in December 2024 at the Dubai Club and the Dubai Design District. The championship witnessed a remarkable turnout, wide participation, and global acclaim for its professional organization and high level of competition. The competition features natural or artificial obstacles for competitors in the men's, women's, and mixed categories. The winner (individual, doubles, or quad) is the person who can clear these obstacles in the fastest time.

Regionally, obstacle course racing has also spread widely across the Gulf and Arab world. Eight countries have so far established sports federations for the sport: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

-I finish-

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