#WSGDubai set for spectacular return
The World School Games is set to make a roaring comeback, with over 900 student athletes laying it all on the line in March as they bid to be crowned World Champions, making it the largest ever edition of The World School Games.
After a two-year hiatus, the 2022 edition is set to showcase a number of new features, with a brand new age division, a change of venue, and new disciplines in both athletics and swimming.
Event Director Andrew Cook explains more about the new features.
New Age Division
“The Coaches have been asking us for years to introduce the Under-15 division! Many of these kids will have their sights set on athletic scholarships or careers in sport, so the opportunity to compete on the international stage is priceless for them; we can’t wait to see them perform.”
“The additional age-group means we’ll have more teams and athletes on site than ever before, which should make for an incredible atmosphere. It also presents a few logistical challenges, but after two years without WSG we’re relishing each and every headache that comes our way, and we cannot wait for everyone to experience the buzz and excitement of international competition once again.”
Development Division
“For the first time in 2022, The World School Games will include a Development Division (Under-11 age group). This will level the playing field and provide schools who have smaller pools of athletes or have less established sporting programmes with the ideal opportunity to compete alongside similar establishments.”
New Events
“Evolving and innovating is absolutely central to the World School Games. We will always endeavour to push the athletes and coaches out of their comfort zones, as we believe this is where true growth and development occurs.”
“New for the 2022 edition of WSG are hurdles and discus (athletics), as well as the Individual Medley (swimming).”
“The new events are great to watch, but very demanding. The hurdles, in particular, is extremely technical and will reward those who have put in the hard yards over the winter season.”
Preliminary Rounds
Also new for 2022 is the introduction of qualifying rounds for long-jump, triple-jump, discus and javelin. The qualifiers, which will take place at Dunecrest American School on Wednesday 9th March (5-8pm). This will ensure more athletes than ever before get the chance to participate in the overall competition, before those who qualify progress to the official athletics day (Thursday 10th March).
New State-of-the-art Football Venue
“An increase in teams has seen us move the football event from Dubai Sports City to the lush grass fields of The Sevens Stadium.”
“Anyone who has been to The Sevens knows that the grass pitches there are world class. Football takes place on the third and final day this year, and with so much at stake we’re pretty sure the atmosphere is going to be absolutely electric come the latter stages of the competition.”
“Alongside Dubai Sports Village for athletics and Hamdan Sports Complex for swimming, we believe the event now offers the very best of sport specific venues across Dubai.”
Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony
“Immediately after the football tournament we’ll have the Gala Dinner and overall Awards ceremony. The awards ceremony will kick off just as the sun sets, giving the awards ceremony a truly special look and feel.”
It has been a long time coming but we are excited to say, the wait is nearly over. Stay tuned to The World School Games social channels, for all of the build up as we count down the days until the big kick-off.
