Arwa Ali claims silver as UAE athletics shines at Dakar Youth Olympics

The UAE sprinter's impressive 100 metres performance in Senegal extends her run of continental success and reinforces the nation's emerging track talent on the global stage.

On the sun-drenched track in Dakar, Arwa Ali crossed the line in 11.41 seconds, her silver medal reflecting both personal excellence and the UAE’s growing prowess in athletics. The sprinter’s second-place finish in the women’s 100 metres at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games brought the nation’s medal count to two, with Ali joining badminton’s Riyan Malhan, who earlier secured the UAE’s historic first Youth Olympic gold.

Ali’s performance continues an impressive trajectory of form across Asia’s youth competitions. At the Bahrain 2025 Asian Youth Games, she claimed the 100 metres gold medal in 11.45 seconds, setting three Games records throughout that championship. Her consistency across international platforms speaks to a athlete of genuine calibre, one whose performances are helping to shape the UAE’s reputation as a breeding ground for youthful sporting talent.

The athletics programme at Dakar has seen other UAE representatives reach the finals. Sprinter Saeed Omar qualified for the men’s 400 metres final with a time of 48.33 seconds, whilst Aisha Mohammed advanced to the women’s 400 metres final, clocking 54.89 seconds. Both runners finished third in their respective qualifying rounds, securing their places in the championship races.

These achievements form part of a broader narrative of UAE participation at the Youth Olympics. As we reported, the nation’s twelve young athletes have been bringing international competition experience to the fore, representing years of development under the National Sports Strategy 2031. Ali’s medal adds substance to that strategic investment, demonstrating that the foundations being laid are producing tangible results on the world’s youth sporting stage.

Elsewhere at the Games, UAE archers Khalifa Al Kaabi and Huda Al Ali advanced through to the round of 16, whilst equestrian competitor Alya Almheiri secured gold as part of Team Asia in the continental team event organised by the International Equestrian Federation.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The UAE’s success at Dakar reflects the nation’s commitment to nurturing young athletic talent and creating pathways for emerging champions. Ali’s silver medal and the broader achievements across athletics, badminton and archery demonstrate the quality of preparation and coaching infrastructure supporting the country’s youth sportspeople. These performances help position the UAE as a serious player in global youth sports competition.

For Abu Dhabi specifically, the results underscore the value of strategic investment in sports development and the National Sports Strategy 2031. Young athletes like Ali are not only winning medals but also raising the profile of UAE sport internationally, creating inspiration for the next generation of competitors and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a centre of sporting excellence and opportunity.

Source: WAM