Strong Competition and Record Participation Mark May Finals of the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games

• Hundreds of students compete across padel, volleyball, jiu-jitsu, and judo events in Dubai's largest school sports initiative

DUBAI, UAE – June 2026:

The Dubai Sports Council has successfully concluded the May 2026 competitions of the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games. The action-packed schedule featured thrilling padel, volleyball, jiu-jitsu, and judo championships, attracting hundreds of students from public and private schools across the emirate.

Recognised as the largest school sports initiative of its kind in Dubai, the programme serves as a key foundation for identifying, developing, and nurturing young athletic talent. The initiative is a cornerstone of the emirate's long-term strategy to build future sporting champions and elevate the local sports sector.

Issa Sharif, Director of Sports Events at the Dubai Sports Council, stated: “The MIDEA Dubai Schools Games continues to strengthen its position as Dubai's leading platform for discovering and developing young sporting talent. The high technical standards displayed across the padel, volleyball, and martial arts competitions reflect the remarkable progress of school sports in the emirate. This reinforces our commitment to providing a professional, competitive environment that supports the development of future champions capable of representing our clubs and the UAE on the international stage, in close alignment with the objectives of the Dubai Sports Strategy 2033”.

Volleyball Championship Draws Over 740 Participants A major highlight of the May programme was the volleyball championship, which brought together 744 students representing 62 teams, making it one of the largest school sports gatherings in Dubai. The competition was hosted at Al Wasl Club's indoor arena over four days of intense matches.

In the Under-13 Boys category, Credence High School A secured the title, with Ayush C named Most Valuable Player. Dubai British School Emirates Hills claimed the girls' title, while Abi P received the Best Player award.

At the Under-15 level, Deira International School won the boys' championship, with Artur P earning Best Player honours. GEMS International School captured the girls' title, while Ada Sari was named Best Player.

In the Under-17 division, GEMS International School secured the boys' championship, with Jonas M recognised as Best Player. Dubai British School Emirates Hills topped the girls' competition, with Tijana N receiving the Best Player award.

Padel Continues Rapid Growth Among Students The padel championship attracted 94 students representing 47 schools, underlining the sport's growing popularity within Dubai's school community.

In the Under-12 Boys category, Tommaso G and Leonardo R, representing GEMS World Academy & King’s School Al Barsha, claimed first place.

Al Ittihad Private School Jumeira dominated the Under-14 Boys competition, with Saeed B and Mohammed F securing first place, followed by teammates Hamdan B and Faris J in second.

The Under-16 Boys title went to Veer A and Alonso Z, representing King’s School Al Barsha and GEMS Dubai American Academy. Talia E and Faith A of Emirates International School Meadows won the Under-16 Girls category.

Martial Arts Competitions Showcase Emerging Talent The judo and jiu-jitsu championships were held at the GEMS School of Research and Innovation, providing an excellent platform for young athletes to demonstrate their technical abilities.

The judo tournament featured 72 competitors. Credence High School and GEMS New Millennium School collected the largest share of gold medals and top podium finishes across various weight divisions in the Under-13 and Under-15 boys' and girls' categories.

In jiu-jitsu, athletes representing 18 schools competed across several divisions. GEMS Metropole School delivered a dominant performance, securing first-place finishes in the Under-18 White Belt 69kg category and the Under-18 Blue Belt 73kg and 85kg divisions. Meanwhile, Evsi A of GEMS International School Al Khail produced a standout display to claim gold in the Under-16 White Belt 73kg category.

Building the Next Generation of Champions the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games forms a central pillar of Dubai's efforts to strengthen grassroots sports and create sustainable pathways for talent development. The championships provide local clubs with a valuable opportunity to identify promising athletes, integrate them into elite development programs, and support their progression toward higher levels of competition.

By combining large-scale participation with high-performance pathways, the initiative continues to play a significant role in advancing Dubai's vision of becoming a global hub for sporting excellence.