Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 19, 2026: The General Assembly of the United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee, which met on Monday, February 16, has approved a new name for the NOC – Emirates Olympic Committee.
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the NOC, who chaired the General Assembly, posted on X: “Today, I chaired the General Assembly of the UAE Olympic Committee where we approved the committee’s new name and unveiled its strategic plan, outlining its goals and vision for the coming period.
“During the meeting, we approved the admission of new sports federations and institutions to the General Assembly, endorsed the 2025 technical and administrative reports and reviewed the upcoming participation of our national teams.”
Sheikh Mansoor added: “We honoured UAE youth for their outstanding achievements, winning 58 medals at the 3rd Asian Youth Games (31 medals) and the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games (27). We remain committed to advancing the UAE Olympic movement and supporting our youth as they fly the UAE flag high in regional and international competitions.”
The Emirates Olympic Committee President also outlined the history of the NOC beginning with its founding on December 19, 1979, and the following year’s membership of the IOC and the Federation of Arab National Olympic Committees.
Sheikh Mansoor also marked the milestones on the journey: attending the first Olympic Games in Los Angeles 1984; climbing the medal podium for the first time at the 1992 Arab Games in Syria; winning the first continental medal at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima; and winning the first Olympic medal at the 2004 Athens Games through Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, who secured the gold medal in men’s double trap shooting.
The General Assembly was held in the presence of Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports and Vice President of the EOC, Faris Mohammed Al Mutawwa, NOC Secretary General, and member of the Board of Directors.
