Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The UAE Esports Federation signed a memorandum of understanding with Al Meehal Sports Club at the Emirates Centre for Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine. The signing ceremony was attended by a number of sports and professional figures, marking a significant step that embodies the national drive to build an integrated eSports ecosystem.
The Federation was represented by Saeed Ali Al Taher, Secretary General of the UAE Electronic Sports Federation, while Mohammed Al Hashemi, CEO of the club, signed on behalf of Al Meehal Club.
The signed memorandum of understanding aims to establish a comprehensive institutional framework for joint cooperation, contributing to the development of eSports in the UAE and keeping pace with national trends toward building an advanced digital sports environment.
In this regard, Saeed Ali Al Taher said: “The UAE Esports Federation believes in the importance of expanding institutional partnerships with national clubs to develop the esports landscape in the country. Today, we begin a fruitful collaboration with Al Meehal Club, and we look forward to it setting an example for embracing esports training concepts and nurturing young talent.”
For his part, Mohammed Al Hashemi said: “Al Meehal Club is proceeding within a strategic vision based on innovation and specialization, and this memorandum of understanding opens new horizons for us to enhance the capabilities of our players and participate actively in tournaments. We believe that eSports has become a key component of modern sports, and we look forward to building an integrated digital training system in partnership with the Federation.”
Providing a modern training infrastructure
The memorandum seeks to integrate eSports into the training system at Al-Mihal Sports Club, providing a modern, technology-driven training structure that meets the demands of the new generation of athletes. This integration enhances the club’s ability to nurture talent and offer specialized programs in this growing field.
The memorandum also stipulates that the club’s players be officially registered as members of the UAE Esports Federation, in accordance with the approved rules and regulations. This will ensure their full integration into the Federation’s official competitive system and enable them to benefit from the programs and initiatives it oversees.
In addition, the agreement opens the door for Al-Mihal Club players to participate in local and international tournaments approved by the federation, providing them with real opportunities to gain valuable competitive experience and enhancing the club’s presence in the digital sports arena, both regionally and internationally.
The memorandum also focuses on designing and implementing joint technical and awareness programs between the two parties, including organizing specialized training workshops and seminars aimed at qualifying players and raising their physical and mental readiness for professional competitions, in addition to raising community awareness of the importance of this sport.
In a move that aligns with the global trend toward comprehensive sports integration, the memorandum adopts the “Physical” model, which combines mental and physical readiness and aims to prepare athletes in a comprehensive manner by combining physical activities with mental training, in line with modern sports performance standards.
The Emirates Center for Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine hosted the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony, embodying its pivotal role in supporting an integrated institutional sports environment. As an effective national platform, the center continues to provide technical facilities and educational and training services to federations and clubs, enhancing institutional performance and keeping pace with global developments in the fields of sports and sports medicine.
This hosting falls within the center’s vision to enhance integration between sports and professional bodies and achieve sustainable human resource development according to the highest standards, in line with the UAE’s drive to build an innovative and pioneering sports sector at the regional and international levels.
The memorandum of understanding stipulates clear mechanisms for activating cooperation and distributing responsibilities between the two parties, ensuring the practical implementation of shared goals. On the part of Al Meehal Club, the club is committed to providing the UAE Esports Federation with lists of players from various age groups, after obtaining official approval from parents. It is also committed to participating in tournaments according to approved schedules and regulations.
The UAE Esports Federation is responsible for registering the club’s players as official members, opening the door for them to participate in local and international tournaments, and providing the necessary technical and organizational support to develop the club’s programs and enhance its operational efficiency.
The two parties will also collaborate on designing and implementing joint training, awareness, and technical programs, in addition to implementing the “Vigital” model within the training system, with the aim of integrating mental and physical readiness, enhancing the efficiency of player preparation and keeping pace with modern performance standards in eSports.
It’s worth noting that the signing of this memorandum reflects a strategic direction toward achieving integration between sports and technology institutions, and unifying efforts to build an advanced national system in the field of e-sports. This cooperation also embodies a model that supports the UAE’s vision for digital transformation in sports, enhancing youth participation, and creating a new generation of athletes capable of competing in the global e-sports arena.
