Sheikh Khalifa orders Dh24m in grants to athletes

Funds will contribute to their professional development

UAE jiu-jitsu athletes in action. The funds will contribute to the professional development of the country's athletes. Reem Mohammed / The National

The UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa, has granted more than Dh24 million ($6.5m) to 680 athletes who made sporting achievements in 2019.

The funds, benefitting 680 athletes from 29 sports federations, will contribute to their professional development and be distributed without the customary annual ceremony because of Covid-19.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid, president of the UAE National Olympic Committee, praised the move and said it showed how the UAE invested in its citizens.

"The sports sector in the UAE has accomplished many recent achievements, and we have advanced to a new stage that requires the co-operation of all sporting cadres, athletes, coaches, referees and administrative staff," Sheikh Ahmed said.

"This will ... consolidate our achievements and target the first position in all areas of professional sports, making champions and investing in new talents based on internationally approved standards."

Ahmad Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and  Small and Medium Enterprises and chairman of the General Sports Authority, said it was an example of how the UAE leadership supported athletes.

"This is an annual occasion for athletes to reiterate their loyalty and allegiance to the country’s leadership and stress their commitment to reinforcing the country’s position in all competitions," Mr Al Falasi said.