- The 4th edition of the Unified Robotics League concluded with over 1,600 participants from across the Emirates.
- 202 teams from 165 schools competed in the qualifiers.
- A 109% increase in participation compared to last year.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – June 12, 2025: The fourth and largest edition of the Unified Robotics League concluded today at Space42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, setting a benchmark for inclusive STEM education in the UAE. Organized annually by Special Olympics UAE and supported by ADNOC as a strategic partner, the national league welcomed more than 1,600 participants across the country, including 1,200 who competed in today’s finals.
This year’s edition saw record participation from 165 schools, with 202 unified teams competing in qualifying rounds held across the UAE to earn a place in the national finals — marking a 109% increase from last year. This surge reflects the growing role in advancing inclusive education and future-ready skills. More than 600 students of determination, from Grade 1 through Grade 12, joined their peers to complete robotics and coding challenges tailored to two age categories: 8–11 and 12 and above.
His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE, said the finals were a powerful reflection of the country’s commitment to inclusive, future-focused education.
“The Unified Robotics League is more than a competition, it is a national platform that gives students of determination access to technology, hands-on experience in robotics, and a space to grow their potential in a unified, collaborative setting.”
He continued: “We have seen exceptional improvement in the quality of projects, as well as deep collaboration between students of determination and their peers. This growth speaks to the League’s increasing impact in advancing inclusive education, perfectly aligning with the UAE’s national priorities in innovation and excellence. We are deeply grateful to our partners, especially ADNOC, the Ministry of Education, and the Higher Colleges of Technology, for their continued support in making this vision a reality.”
Each unified team included a minimum of 50% students of determination, who worked side by side with their peers to complete tasks in programming, AI, and robotics—mirroring the mission of Special Olympics UAE to promote meaningful inclusion through sport and education.
Saif Al Falahi, ADNOC Director, Group Business Support & Special Tasks, said: “ We warmly congratulate the winning teams of the Unified Robotics League for their innovative ideas and commend all the students who took part for showcasing their skills, talent and dedication. As a key driver of economic and social progress in the UAE, ADNOC will continue to support the Special Olympics movement and help shape a more inclusive society.”
His Excellency Dr. Omar Al Dhaheri, Assistant Undersecretary for the School Operations Sector (Abu Dhabi), Ministry of Education: “The Unified Robotics League represents a pioneering model of national collaboration aimed at building an inclusive and integrated educational system that empowers students of all abilities, especially People of Determination, to acquire future skills in programming and robotics. We are proud of this fruitful collaboration with Special Olympics UAE, ADNOC, and the Higher Colleges of Technology in supporting this impactful initiative, which embodies the UAE’s vision of investing in youth.”
He added: “We were keen to ensure strong participation from Ministry of Education schools in this edition, with over 700 students and more than 267 teachers taking part. Twenty-eight teams reached the final stages, an achievement that reflects the advanced level of our students and educators, and reaffirms our deep commitment to providing an inclusive, creativity-focused learning environment.”
To support teams ahead of the finals, Special Olympics UAE also hosted dedicated training workshops for coaches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These sessions, held ahead of the qualifiers during May 2025, equipped educators with the technical tools needed to guide their teams through the League. Now in its fourth year, the Unified Robotics League continues to strengthen its position as a flagship initiative under Special Olympics UAE’s Unified Schools program, advancing inclusion not only in sport, but across classrooms, labs, and the future of the UAE’s workforce.
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