Five new sports have received recognition from the United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee ©UAE NOC

Five new sports have received recognition from the United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC).

Governing bodies for badminton, squash, triathlon, modern pentathlon and Muay Thai/kickboxing have all been accepted by the organisation.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the President of the UAE NOC, oversaw the move during an online conference which he chaired.

He also welcomed 11 new Board members to the governing body.

Ahmed Al Maktoum is the only Olympic gold medallist from the UAE to date ©Getty Images
Ahmed Al Maktoum is the only Olympic gold medallist from the UAE to date ©Getty Images

The first and second vice-presidents of the UAE NOC, Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi and Mohammed Al-Mahmoud respectively, also took part in the online conference.

They were joined by the heads of various sports federations from the UAE.

In a speech, Sheikh Ahmed "urged all sports federations to redouble efforts to enhance the chances of their athletes qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics", as well as to "promote and develop sports at all levels".

The UAE has won two Olympic medals in its history, including gold for shooter Ahmed Al Maktoum at Athens 2004.