UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) President Ramon Suzara met with senior sports officials from Al Jazira Club and the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) in the United Arab Emirates to discuss opportunities to strengthen youth development, sports academies and pathways from grassroots participation to professional competition.
AVC President Suzara held discussions with Rashid Ateeq Al Hamli, Head of Team Sports at Al Jazira Club, and Fatima AlAmeri, Director of Technical Affairs and Training at FBMA, focusing on a broader framework for sports development that connects young athletes with opportunities to progress through different levels of competition.
During the meeting, AVC President Suzara proposed a development framework aimed at strengthening the sports ecosystem by recognizing and supporting athletes at every stage of their development, from grassroots academies to professional clubs.
The discussions emphasized the importance of establishing structured pathways that allow young athletes to develop their skills, gain competitive experience and advance toward higher levels of performance.
Sports academies were identified as a central component of this approach, particularly in introducing young people to organized sports, developing emerging talent and preparing athletes for more advanced training and competition.
The proposed framework also highlighted the potential of stronger connections between grassroots programs, sports academies and established professional clubs to create a more sustainable development system.
Beyond athlete development, the discussions explored the broader potential of sports as an industry, with well-structured development programs helping strengthen sporting institutions and showcase talent across different competitive levels.
The engagement with FBMA also underscored the importance of providing development opportunities for women and girls, supporting greater participation and progression within the sporting community.
For the AVC, cooperation with established sports institutions in the UAE represents an opportunity to exchange expertise, explore new development initiatives and strengthen the foundations of volleyball and other sports across the region.
The meeting forms part of AVC President Suzara’s continued engagement with sports leaders and organizations in the UAE, following discussions on potential tournament hosting opportunities and broader cooperation in volleyball development.
The dialogue with Al Jazira Club and FBMA highlighted a shared interest in strengthening youth sports development and exploring initiatives that could provide aspiring athletes with clearer pathways from grassroots participation to elite competition.
Through continued discussions and potential collaboration, the AVC aims to support a more inclusive and sustainable sporting environment that encourages youth participation, develops athletic talent and creates opportunities for the next generation of athletes across Asia.
The post AVC explores sports academy development and youth pathways in UAE appeared first on Asian Volleyball Confederation.
