The Dubai Sports Council has announced the Dubai Open Volleyball Academies Championship, described as the first tournament of its kind in the region, set to begin on April 25 with 70 teams representing 25 academies and clubs from across the UAE.
Organised in cooperation with the UAE Volleyball Federation and Sports Mania, the championship runs until June 13, 2026, and features five age categories for males and females: under 10, 12, 14, 16, and 19 years old. More than 250 matches are scheduled to be played at the Shabab Al Ahli Club indoor courts and the Al Safa Sports Hall in the Jumeirah area.
Ahead of the tournament, the Dubai Sports Council and the organising committee held a technical meeting with coaches and academy directors to review regulations, approve the match schedule, and address participant inquiries.
Ali Omar Al Baloushi, Director of Sports Development at the Dubai Sports Council, said: “We are working to build an integrated system to attract and nurture promising players across various sports. Launching this tournament reflects our commitment to providing a truly competitive environment that gives young athletes the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and refine their skills by increasing the number of matches according to international standards.”
Al Baloushi added that the tournament is part of the Council’s broader strategy to develop talent within Dubai clubs and enhance cooperation with the private sector, and that it joins the Dubai Open series alongside existing tournaments in football, basketball, handball, tennis, gymnastics, badminton, and padel.
Tariq Abboud, Managing Director of Sports Mania, said: “We are honoured to organise this tournament, which brings together government and private academies and clubs from across the country to compete in official matches that enhance the development of emerging talent.”
Participating clubs include Al Wasl, Shabab Al Ahli, Al Nasr, Hatta, and Al Dhaid, alongside academies such as Wildcats, UIG Sports, FDR, Centrix, Centrline, One Dela Cruz, Next Gen, Hec Volleyball, Speed Sports, Spikers Abu Dhabi, Al Mawakeb, Abu Dhabi Volleyball Clinic, ATPV Com, Olympic Stars, and Esperia.
Source: Dubai Launches Regional First: Open Volleyball Academies Championship