It’s one month to the day until the best young athletes from around the world descend on the UAE in for The World School Games 2018. The unique international multi-sport event will present an opportunity to showcase the talent, diversity and sportsmanship of primary school students worldwide.
The World School Games is a three-day international sports event staged in Dubai and attended by some of the most prestigious International schools across the globe. Teams of between 16-24 students from each school will take part in athletics, football and swimming in a bid to accrue the most points and be crowned World Champions.
James Hair, of The World School Games organising committee commented, “Our vision is to create a truly international event that brings together students from all over the world, breaks down social and cultural barriers, and celebrates the talents and diversity of children from different countries, backgrounds and education systems. Sport is an important part of Dubai’s modern identity and this city presents the perfect destination to host this global event.”
Reining U11 BSME small games champions Horizon English School are the latest Dubai school to register for the competition. Head of Physical Education at Horizon, David Tangney, said: “At Horizon we’re huge on sport so naturally we’re excited for the World Primary School Games. As a school we admirably to win the BSME at this age group, now our athletes are looking forward to testing themselves on the world stage.”
Horizon English School are joined by Dubai British School Jumeirah Park (DBSJP), Jumeirah Primary School, Foremarke School and GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis (WSO) in representing the UAE in 2018.
Thomas Ashby, Student Engagement Leader & PE Teacher at DBSJP, said, "We are honoured to be one of the few schools representing host city, Dubai, in the inaugural World School Games. Our team and staff are training hard preparing for each of the sports and can’t wait to compete in our first ever international competition!"
Schools from Spain, Greece, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Uganda have registered for The Games, which will in part be staged at Dubai's premier sports venue – Dubai Sports City. Notable attendees include St Catherine’s British School (Athens), Children’s International School (Lagos), and reigning COBIS Primary Games champions four years running, St Saviour’s School, Ikoyi.
“It’s a competition we are hugely excited to be part of,” said Matthew Thomas, Physical Education teacher at WSO. “Our squads consistently perform at a high level on the DAPSA circuit and, in The World Primary School Games, they now have an opportunity to represent their school at the very highest level.”
Although international registrations for the World Primary School Games have now closed, two places remain for UAE schools. Schools interested in competing should express their interest by emailing: register@theworldschoolgames.com
Registered schools include:
– Haileybury School Almaty (Kazakhstan)
– Rainbow International School (Uganda)
– Lagos Preparatory School (Nigeria)
– St Saviour's School Ikoyi (Nigeria)
– Children's International School (Nigeria)
– St Catherine's British School (Greece)
– English International College (Spain)
– Horizon English School (Dubai)
– Dubai British School Jumeirah Park (Dubai)
– GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis (Dubai)
Gulf Youth Sport is the official media partner of The World Primary School Games 2018. Selected events will be live streamed so that families across the world can tune in and support.