Thousands of athletes of all ages and abilities from around the globe are primed to take centre stage in Abu Dhabi as the biggest and most diverse multi-sport event hosted in the region kicked off on Friday night.
A star-studded opening ceremony at Zayed Sports City Stadium – featuring chart-topping musical acts and live performances – heralded the start of the landmark Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi.
The eagerly-awaited competition, which runs until February 15, will feature more than 25,000 male and female athletes from 92 countries, vying for glory in 38 sports held all over the emirate.
The event is open to athletes aged at least 30 − with no upper age limit − and will feature 13 sports for athletes with disabilities, showcasing sport's unifying power and spirit of inclusivity.
Star-studded ceremony
The lavish opening ceremony, which started at about 8pm, was capped off by crowd-pleasing performances by British pop stars Rita Ora and Leona Lewis, Lebanese singer Carole Samaha and Emirati musician Rashed Al Nuaimi.
Thousands of spectators gathered for the memorable show, with the UAE anthem ringing out before flag-waving athletes paraded along a runway as the names of the participating sports were announced.
The UAE's rich sporting heritage and tradition was celebrated in dazzling theatrical performances blended with a striking video production projected on to a stage at the heart of the vast stadium, which illuminated the night sky.
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The opening ceremony for the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi at Zayed Sports City. Screen grab / YouTube -
A parade of flag-waving athletes takes to the stage as the names of the participating sports are announced. Screen grab / YouTube -
Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur reads out the Open Masters Games athletes' oath. Screen grab / YouTube -
Al Reem, the games' official mascot, at the opening ceremony. Ahmed Ramzan / The National -
The gazelles are mascots for the biggest and most diverse multi-sport event to be hosted in the region. Ahmed Ramzan / The National -
More than 25,000 athletes will compete in 38 sports. Ahmed Ramzan / The National
Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur read out the Open Masters Games athletes' oath, speaking about how people from all parts of the world had been “united as one in celebration of the spirit of sport”.
She said the mass-participation event knew no borders and encouraged people of all ages, races, creeds and abilities to happily compete, side by side.
Organisers expect the global gathering to attract more than 500,000 spectators at dozens of indoor and outdoor venues across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
Sergii Bubka, President of the International Masters Games Association and a former world and Olympic champion, gave an uplifting address highlighting sport's ability to unite and bring joy to lives.
“The world comes together here,” he said. “Athletes will share friendships, respect and passion for sport.
“What brings us together is something very powerful. I believe sport enriches our lives, gives us joy.
“As the first ever Masters Games held in the Middle East, this moment is historic.”
Hailing oldest athlete
Mr Bubka, who won six consecutive world championships and an Olympic gold during a career in which he represented the Soviet Union and Ukraine, said the oldest competitor in this year's games was 91.
“This is not just a number, it is a message to the world. The desire to move, to compete, to enjoy sport has no limit.”
He added: “What matters most in the Masters Games is not results or records, but the people themselves."
Sport for all
Unlike elite competitions, the Open Masters Games emphasise participation, lifelong fitness and community engagement over medals and rankings.
The programme will include six traditional sports, including camel racing, dhow sailing and falconry, alongside mainstream disciplines such as cycling, ice hockey, padel and athletics, to reflect both regional heritage and global sporting culture.
The Open Masters Games are an evolution of the World Masters Games, the largest international multi-sport event for older athletes, held every four years since 1985.
Ghalya Al Ali, director of community engagement for the event, said what sets it apart from other sporting competitions is its focus on community participation.
“What really makes the Masters Games different is that it is for everyone. You don’t need to be a professional athlete or an elite performer,” she said.
“In previous editions, we’ve seen participants well into their nineties. That alone shows how important it is to keep older members of society active, engaged and involved.”
Football tops popularity table
Peter Wheeler, senior adviser to the games, said football would be the most popular sport with 14,000 participants, followed by volleyball with 2,160 players, and seven-a-side football with 2,000 participants.
Athletics and cycling are expected to each feature 1,500 athletes, while swimming, triathlon and endurance horse racing will each have 1,000 competitors.
The event will also include martial arts such as jiu-jitsu (1,200), karate (300), taekwondo (300) and judo (300), alongside tennis (250), table tennis (760), badminton (850) and padel (500).
Among the Emirati sports, camel racing is expected to attract 300 competitors, 250 in the falconry and traditional dhow sailing with 1,500 participants.
