The United Arab Emirates has boosted its medal count to 18 at the 3rd Asian Youth Games, being held in Bahrain until October 31. More than 5,000 young athletes from 45 countries are taking part in the event, with the UAE competing in 19 sports disciplines.
In a historic debut for camel racing at the Asian Youth Games, the UAE team captured four medals—two golds and two silvers—in both boys’ and girls’ categories.
In the boys’ race, Mohammed Omair Al Rashdi won gold, while Khalifa Suhail Al Ghafli claimed silver. Wasmi Al Balwi from Saudi Arabia took the bronze. In the girls’ competition, Latifa Mohammed Al Ashkhari earned gold, followed by Aisha Abdullah Al Saadi with silver, and Yemen’s Eman Salem with bronze.
Adding to the success, show jumper Saleh Al Kharbi secured bronze in the individual show jumping event. Malaysia’s Princess Sharifah Aryel Boudriah took gold, while Iraq’s Mohammed Hammam Harith claimed silver.
Swimmer Hussain Shawqi brought home another bronze for the UAE in the men’s 50m freestyle, finishing in 23.43 seconds after qualifying among the top three in the heats.
With these results, the UAE maintained its position as the leading Arab nation and advanced to sixth overall in the Asian standings. The country’s total now stands at seven golds, six silvers, and five bronzes. China leads with 76 medals (38 gold, 26 silver, 12 bronze), followed by Uzbekistan with 29 medals (14 gold, 5 silver, 10 bronze).
In cycling, UAE’s Falah Al Nuaimi impressed with a fifth-place finish in the 15 km individual time trial, clocking 22:34.34.
Camel Racing Success Reflects UAE’s Support for Heritage Sports
Abdullah Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of the UAE Camel Racing Federation, said the team’s achievement reflects the leadership’s commitment to preserving and promoting traditional sports. He added that the strong support and vision of the UAE’s leaders have enabled athletes to reach top levels of performance in both modern and heritage disciplines.
Coach Praises Equestrian Team’s Dedication
Hamad Al Karbi, coach of the UAE national show jumping team, praised Saleh Al Karbi for his impressive performance and commended the dedication of all Emirati riders. He noted that the athletes showed full commitment during their preparation, participating in European events and local championships over the summer. “There is still much more to achieve in the coming championships,” he said.
UAE’s Youth Athletes Reflect a Bright Sporting Future
Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, said the UAE’s achievements at the 2025 Asian Youth Games highlight the continued progress of Emirati sports. “We take pride in our athletes’ performances and their ability to deliver strong results. With 18 medals so far and competitions still ongoing, we expect even more success,” he said.
He added that these achievements are the result of consistent support from the UAE’s leadership, alongside collaboration between the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee, and national federations. This teamwork, he said, aligns with the National Sports Strategy 2031 to nurture young talent and promote excellence.
Al Hajri concluded: “We have full confidence in our athletes and their determination to keep pushing forward. Their success at the Asian Youth Games shows that the UAE’s sporting future is full of promise and achievement.”
