“Hafeet Sport Challenge” brings together heritage and institutional momentum and boosts social sports at the City of Al Ain

22.Feb.2026

“Teba” returns with modern rules and ambition that go beyond the local boundaries

Powerful competition in institutions tournament… While cricket adds a multi-national cultural dimension

25 matches for age categories in one day, emphasizing over talent acquisition journey and reflecting organizational capabilities

Hafeet Sport Challenge. To be published on| 22-2026

The third day of the second version of “Hafeet Sport Challenge” witnessed the launching of 4 various tournaments, which reflected the width of social participation and the growing presence of heritage and modern games at the City of Al Ain, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region.

Competitions were distributed over the heritage Teba tournament at Um Ghafa and institutions football tournament on Ittihad Club’s stadium at Zakher, as well as football academies tournament for age categories, which took place on the external venues around Hazza bin Zayed stadium and academy branch at Zakher, in addition to cricket competitions on the pitch of Al Ain Cricket Club’s venue, in a scenery that reflects the diversity of programs and the width of activities withing the event.

Digital results and indicators

In Teba tournament, Al Gharbi team claimed a big victory on Al Nahda with the score of (20-4), assuming the lead on the standings table with 2 points, and advancing with the advantage of goals over Um Ghafa who claimed victory over Al Hosson with the score of (20-6), in matches that were characterized with power and technical discipline.

As for institutions tournament for football, the first round recorded the scoring of 26 goals during 8 matches, in an indicator that reflects the attacking aspect of the competitions. Competitions resulted in a draw between Al Heyr and 247 Sport with the score of (1-1), as well as the victory of Al Masri Club over Abu Dhabi University with the score of (2-0), in addition to a victory for Al Hilal Al Ahmar over Al Ain City Municipality with the score of (3-0). In its turn, Strata secured the result of its match vs Al Meah Power with the score of (3-2), as well as a victory for Power for Distribution over Economic Development Department with the score of (3-0), in addition to a victory for Al Ain Club over Shiekh Tahnoon Medical City with the score of (3-1). While Takween led by the seasoned player, Salem Abdullah, who is a former player for Al Ain Club, scored the biggest result and claimed victory over The Czech Hospital with the score of (7-0), and Arab Union for University Sports claimed victory over Al Ain Pharma with the score of (6-3).

At Academies tournament, Al Ain Club’s venues hosted 25 matches for age categories from 2012 to 2016 during the first and second rounds, in a professional organizational environment that contributes in honing the up-and-coming talents and boosting the development paths for age categories.

“Teba” … From the popular heritage to a modern competitive ecosystem

“Teba” tournament recorded its presence for the first time during the program of “Hafeet Challenge”, in a step that embodies the organizing committee’s approach into combining popular games in the modern sports events, in a way that boosts the national identity and revisits the sports heritage in an integrated organizational framework.

Mohammed Hamed Al Niady, who is the representative for Teba tournament, emphasized that including this game in the program reflects the keenness of the organizing committee to revive the heritage games and boosts its presence among the new generations, pointing out that the increasing turnout of youth categories towards the game.

In his turn, Saif Miftah Hamad Al Niady, who is the responsible official for Teba Venue at Umm Ghafa, explained that the game was played in the past in the social occasions before declining for a period of time, then returned during the past 15 years thanks to the social efforts that contributed in organizing regular tournaments and providing a dedicated venue that helped in developing the game on the organizational and technical levels.

He also added that “Teba” is being currently held according to a modern ecosystem that includes clear laws and an official refereeing supervision, with the participation of 4 teams, each one of them consists of 24 players, in a competitive framework that reflects the dedication to the organizational discipline and standards. He also appreciated the continuous support by the wise leadership, emphasizing that the supreme patronage has contributed into providing a suitable environment to maintain the status of heritage games and boosting its presence on the local level and aspiration to wider horizons in the future.

Saif Salf Al Nuaimi, who is the administrative of Al Gharbi team for Teba, also pointed out that the game has witnessed a notable improvement in its laws and organization, while social media platforms contributed in boosting is spread and increasing the turnout, despite the physical challenges being imposed by the nature of competitions during the month of Ramadan.

Sports as an integrated social platform

Dr. Essam Abdullah, who is a member at the organizing committee, emphasized that the diversity of tournaments among institutions, academies, Teba, and cricket reflects the inclusive nature of “Hafeet Challenge”, where sports competitions are being blended with the social dimension and the cultrual diversity under a unified organizational framework.

He also pointed out that the events have recorded an increasing fans turnout, contributing in boosting the event’s social impact, as well as establishing sports as a means for social interaction within Ramadan vibes, that combines various categories.

He also emphasized that “Hafeet Sport Challenge”, across the diversity of its programs and the widespread participation, that sport has become one of the fundamental pillars in boosting the quality of life and establishing the cultural identity of the City of Al Ain, in an organizational experience that is steadily advancing towards establishing its position as one of the most prominent social sports projects in the region.