ABU DHABI, UAE,— United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the Emirates News Agency, WAM, reported.

The event runs from December 18 to 23 and was attended by international and local officials, including Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During the opening ceremony, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed all participants and wished them success in their competitions.

He emphasized that hosting the Games underscores the UAE’s growing role as a global hub for innovation in sports, combining athletic performance with advanced technology to meet the ambitions of the next generation.

The president added that the event encourages young people worldwide to engage in dialogue, foster mutual understanding, and compete in the spirit of friendship in the UAE.

The ceremony brought together senior UAE officials, including Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with other senior Emirati officials.

Advisers to the president, including Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, and international guests such as Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, were also in attendance.

More than 850 athletes from over 60 countries are taking part in this year’s Games, which merge traditional sports with digital gaming, highlighting hybrid competitions that combine physical skill and technological innovation.

Organizers described this edition as the most diverse and competitive in the history of future sports events.

The opening featured the UAE national anthem, visual presentations, storytelling segments highlighting the athletes, and demonstrations of advanced technologies.

In his remarks, Faisal Al Bannai reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, and the development of hybrid sports.

He said the event reflects the way today’s generation engages with both digital and physical worlds, providing a platform to recognize talent, develop future-ready skills, and connect sports with innovation.

(With files from WAM)

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