Dubai Games 2025 officially launched at Dubai Festival City, marking the sixth edition of the city's leading government employee sports championship. The tournament opened with the intense "Battle of the Government" competition, where teams of public sector employees showcased athletic skill and teamwork under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
The championship runs from February 20 to 23, with DP World serving as official partner and DAMAC and Emarat as diamond sponsors, in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council.
Battle of the Government: Women's Opening Day
Twenty-six teams entered the women's Battle of the Government competition on opening day. After a full day of fierce competition, four teams advanced to the February 23 final:
- Ministry of Defence — 93.06 points (leaders) - Ministry of Education — 69.31 points - Dubai Police — 62.54 points - Dubai Health — 61.03 points
The championship title for the women's category will be decided in the finale on February 23.
Men's Heats Test Physical and Mental Limits
The men's category drew 84 registered teams across its opening heats. Competitors pushed their physical and mental limits through a series of demanding activities designed to test endurance, strategic thinking, and team coordination. Four finalists were set to be announced on Friday, with the men's championship match scheduled for Sunday.
Commitment to Excellence and Fair Play
Marwan bin Essa, Director of Dubai Games, highlighted the event's role in building teamwork and sportsmanship across Dubai's government sector. "DUBAI GAMES 2025 has kicked off with remarkable energy, as teams showcase outstanding teamwork," he said.
Khalid Balhoul, head of the Refereeing Committee, emphasised the rigorous standards applied throughout the competition. "DUBAI GAMES employs a refereeing system based on the highest global standards to ensure fairness," Balhoul noted, adding that officials evaluate participant skills, strategic execution, and collaborative performance.
With 244 teams competing across all categories and a prize pool exceeding AED 3.1 million, the sixth edition of Dubai Games 2025 is the largest and most competitive in the championship's history.
