The United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee has confirmed that its 2017 National Sports Day will be held on February 16 ©UAE NOC

The United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) has confirmed that its 2017 National Sports Day will be held on February 16 as part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Unified Sports Week.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE NOC and chairman of the High Committee for National Sports Day, approved the date for the annual event.

He said that organising a second edition reflected sports awareness among the Emirati society and contributed to a healthy lifestyle.

"Since it was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - vice-president, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai - last year in order to strengthen cohesion and showcase love and affection among all community members, this initiative attracted a huge participation and now it is commemorated all over the UAE," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (right), President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, has approved the second edition of the National Sports Day ©OCA
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (right), President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, has approved the second edition of the National Sports Day ©OCA

The announcement came during a meeting of the High Committee for National Sports Day, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

Among those present were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and President of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare.

Also present was Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, a member of the NOC Executive Office who has been appointed head of the National Sports Day work team.

This year’s National Sports Day attracted 30,000 people representing more than 200 nationalities and involved 279 events.