UAE Set to Compete in the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China
The United Arab Emirates is gearing up to participate in the 6th Asian Beach Games, taking place in Sanya, China, from 22nd to 30th April, 2026. The UAE delegation will consist of 31 athletes, set to compete in four sports: ju-jitsu, sailing, beach soccer, and open water swimming.
The event marks the second time that China has hosted the Asian Beach Games, having previously held them in Haiyang in 2012. This sixth edition will welcome 1,790 athletes representing 45 National Olympic Committees from across Asia. Competitions will span 14 sports, encompassing 15 disciplines and 61 events in total.
Both the opening and closing ceremonies are scheduled to take place at the Ring Theatre within the Asian Beach Games Park, situated in the Tianya Haijiao area of Sanya.
An advance delegation from the UAE Olympic Committee arrived in Sanya last Wednesday to oversee final preparations. The campaign for the UAE will begin with the national beach soccer team, who are in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Iran.
The UAE has established a strong track record at the Asian Beach Games, with a total of 28 medals—including 11 gold, eight silver, and nine bronze—since the inaugural edition in Bali in 2008. The country has appeared in every edition of the Games. The 2014 edition in Phuket was the nation’s most successful, with 12 medals.
A landmark moment came during the 5th edition in Da Nang in 2016, when UAE national ju-jitsu athlete Wudayma Al Yafei won bronze, becoming the first Emirati girl to reach the podium in the history of the Asian Beach Games.
Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the UAE Olympic Committee, emphasized the need to “redouble efforts and intensify preparations to ensure a performance worthy of expectations at this important continental event, where Emirati athletes have consistently reached the podium and delivered outstanding results.” He further expressed his confidence in the UAE’s delegation, trusting they would continue to build on the nation’s commendable record of achievements since 2008.
Al Mutawa also commended the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, as well as the dedicated support provided by Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Executive Office, in ensuring the UAE’s strong presence at international competitions.
The Asian Beach Games began in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008, followed by editions in Muscat (2010), Haiyang (2012), Phuket (2014), and Da Nang (2016). The sixth edition in Sanya promises to be another exciting chapter for Asian beach sports.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
