The UAE Youth Muaythai Championship has advanced to its semi-final stage this Saturday at the Mubadala Dome, located within the Al Jazira Sports Club in Abu Dhabi. Athletes from across the nation are competing for a spot in the finals and the subsequent podium ceremonies, which are scheduled to take place on Sunday.
Organized by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, this event represents a major milestone within the 2026–27 Emirates Champions Season. It serves as the second domestic tournament of the season, arriving shortly after the senior-level UAE Kickboxing Championship held in September. The competition features a substantial turnout of 790 male and female athletes representing 51 local clubs, all vying for honors across 198 distinct weight categories for participants aged between 6 and 17 years. With closely contested bouts across the full card of 198 weight categories, the opening day delivered a strong launch across every age group from 6 to 17 years old.
Technical operations during the championship are being conducted across five separate arenas—consisting of three rings and two tatami mats—in strict adherence to the international regulations set by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA). The high level of participation has been highlighted as a clear indicator of the sport’s rising popularity and the successful efforts of academies to broaden the talent base. For the Federation, the tournament provides a vital platform to evaluate emerging athletes under official competitive pressures. It also gives the Federation’s technical staff a live look at the country’s most promising young talent in official competitive conditions.
Ali Khouri, a board member of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, emphasized that the event’s scale validates the growth the sport is seeing among youth demographics. He noted that clubs and academies are playing a crucial role in grooming a new generation of fighters in a structured environment. Khouri further explained that the federation’s competition calendar is specifically designed to provide consistent engagement for all age groups, which is essential for refining technical skills and preparing young athletes for future international representation. All of that feeds into the work of discovering and refining talent in the stages ahead.”. We are committed to delivering regular competitions for every age category, he continued: “Through the Federation’s competition calendar.
The current tournament is seen as a key component of the Federation’s broader strategy to support development pathways. By creating frequent competitive opportunities, the organization aims to boost the technical readiness of its young talent, ensuring they are well-equipped to carry the future of Muay Thai in the UAE forward.
