The United Arab Emirates (UAE), represented by its National Olympic Committee, is actively participating in the ninth edition of the Francophone Games, currently underway in the city of Kinshasa, the capital of the Congo. The prestigious event has drawn the participation of 3,000 athletes from 66 countries and is scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 6.
The UAE contingent is competing in three sports disciplines: Judo, Table Tennis, and Athletics, with a total of 9 athletes representing the nation across these games. The delegation is led by Azza bint Sulaiman, the Assistant Secretary-General for Administrative and Financial Affairs of the Olympic Committee, with Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Director of the Technical and Sports Affairs Department, designated as the director of the delegation.
The UAE’s athletics team comprises five talented athletes, namely Ali Al-Badwawi, Salem Al-Balushi, Sultan Abdullah, Mahra Salem, and Fatima Al-Balushi. Meanwhile, the judo competitions will see three skilled athletes, Khaled Reda, Mansour Juma, and Saeed Al-Naqbi, representing the UAE. Additionally, one athlete, Muhammad Mahmoud, is participating in the table tennis category.
Azza bint Sulaiman highlighted the significance of achieving new sporting milestones for the UAE through active participation in various competitions. The UAE’s representation in the Francophone Games serves to raise the nation’s flag high among countries with diverse cultures and languages.
The Francophone Games, held every four years, bring together a multitude of participants, including athletes and artists, engaging in cultural and sports competitions. In addition to sports events, the tournament includes seven cultural contests encompassing singing, dancing, sculpturing, drawing, photography, storytelling, and literature.