The UAE, represented by the gymnastics committee under the UAE Federation for All Sports, secured full membership in World Gymnastics following a vote at the 86th Congress in Bangkok. According to Said Ali Al-Ajil, president of the UAE Federation for All Sports, formal notification arrived via official letter the day after the congress concluded its proceedings. This acceptance allows the federation to register athletes for global competitions and aligns with national efforts backed by the UAE Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sport to elevate the discipline domestically.
Al-Ajil highlighted how the membership embodies the federation’s push to broaden international partnerships and facilitate knowledge exchange with gymnastics bodies around the world. He noted that the move will bolster talent identification programs targeting both citizens and residents through structured events and training initiatives. Such participation in World Gymnastics development schemes is expected to accelerate the sport’s growth within the country.
World Gymnastics reported that the congress admitted five new federations, including Timor-Leste and Belize as upgraded provisional members along with the UAE, Samoa and Vanuatu. Organisational figures show the addition increases the total number of member federations beyond 165, reflecting the body’s expanding global footprint. The gathering in Thailand also signed off on updated statutes, a revised 2026 budget and the selection of Istanbul to host the next congress in 2028.
The international body completed its rebrand from the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique to World Gymnastics in late 2025, with the new name set to appear in all official documents starting January 1, 2027. A statement from World Gymnastics at the time of the announcement emphasised the change as a commitment to greater visibility for athletes and wider grassroots access across its disciplines. The UAE’s entry comes at a pivotal moment in this transition toward a more inclusive global identity for the sport.
Establishment of the UAE gymnastics committee gained direct support from senior sports authorities to position the country more competitively in this Olympic field. Dubai Sports Council data from recent events shows gymnastics participation surging, with one championship drawing more than 600 athletes from 17 academies across the UAE and Gulf region. Al-Ajil pointed to forthcoming domestic competitions that will help surface promising athletes capable of representing the nation abroad under the new affiliation.
Federation plans now centre on athlete registration and the rollout of activities spanning artistic, rhythmic, trampoline and other gymnastics disciplines to build a broader participant base. This framework will enable smoother pathways for talent progression and international exposure. Al-Ajil told WAM that the affiliation marks an important step toward sustained development and elevated performance levels in the years ahead.
