Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 7, 2026: The United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee has highlighted the increase in numbers of female athletes in the delegation that will compete at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games from September 19 to October 4.
In a post on social media, the UAE NOC reflected on the increasing presence of women in national sport in the Emirates.
“From 38 athletes at Hangzhou 2022 to 48 at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 – Emirati women’s participation has increased by 10 athletes reflecting their growing presence in national sport,” the NOC posted.
Emirati female athletes will compete across 14 sports in Japan, continuing a remarkable journey of progress on the Asian stage.
In total, the UAE will be represented by 165 athletes in 23 sports.
The first medal won by an Emirati female athlete at the Asian Games was back in Doha 2006, when Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum won a silver medal in taekwondo.
At the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, Emirati women won six medals, including the first-ever gold medal from Asma Al Hosani in the women’s 52kg event in jiu-jitsu.