Dubai Is Implementing Leadership’s Vision To Make Sport A Way Of Life: Hamdan Bin Mohammed

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, said that Dubai is actively implementing the vision of the leadership to make sport a way of life in the emirate.

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 13th Dec, 2018) H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, said that Dubai is actively implementing the vision of the leadership to make sport a way of life in the emirate.

"Our leadership understands the meaningful role played by sport in the development of communities and we are keen to implement the vision of our leadership to make sport a way of life in Dubai," H.H. said.

"Sport is one of the most important human activities that contribute towards physical and mental development, and helps in building character and the strategic, analytical and leadership skills of an individual. It leads to physical and mental well-being, and helps in generating happiness and positive energy," he added.

Sheikh Hamdan’s remarks came at a ceremony held to award the winner of the inaugural Hamdan Bin Mohammed Order of Merit for Sports Education School.

"We have several programmes geared towards motivating individuals and institutions to embrace a physically active lifestyle, and this Order of Merit is one such initiative that focuses on schools and aims to spread health and happiness among school children through the practice of sports. These children are the future of our nation and it is imperative we provide them with a strong foundation," His Highness said.

At the ceremony, Sheikh Hamdan crowned Dubai English Speaking School as the winner of the inaugural Hamdan Bin Mohammed Order of Merit for Sports Education School.

The winning school received their plaque from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed at Wednesday’s awards ceremony held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, in the presence of Jameela Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public Education; Mattar Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC); Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of DSC; Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA); Mariam Al Hammadi, Board Member of DSC; Moza Al Marri, Board Member of DSC; and Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of DSC.

The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Order of Merit for Sports Education School is an initiative launched by Dubai Sports Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Prevention, the KHDA, Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Municipality to spread and develop the practice of sports in educational institutions as a key activity that contributes to the health and happiness of students, and helps in the discovery and development of sports talents.

Mattar Al Tayer said, "Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s presence here to personally deliver the medals to the winning school confirms our leadership’s commitment towards propagation of sport and it should act as a great boost for our schools to strive to win this medal in the coming years. It should also serve as an encouragement to the members of our society, of all ages and nationalities, to embrace sports and physical activity as a way of life, alongside their work and studies.

"The launch of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Order of Merit For Sports Education School is an initiative that aims to encourage public and private schools in the Emirate of Dubai to achieve the best grades in educational and sports work, and support their efforts in making sport a way of life. This Order of Merit is an initiative for the future of the country.

"There is no doubt that the great success of the first edition will be a great incentive for schools to increase their sports activities and to provide appropriate facilities to their students, to raise awareness about the importance of sport, create a balance between academics and sport, and take care of the talented young sportspeople in their midst."

Sports education schools are defined as schools that constantly seek to improve and develop their sporting capacities by providing a favourable environment for the acquisition and development of skills; they meet their students’ needs for physical activity through the application of curricula and sports programmes, thus enabling them to play an active role in the promotion of their students’ health and creating an atmosphere conducive to fair competition.

The Order of Merit was open to all public and private schools in the Emirate of Dubai. The schools were assessed as per the criteria of the Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority of Dubai.

The evaluation was based on four principal criteria: infrastructure, health education, sports practice and the efficiency and effectiveness of school management.