Half of each team in UAE robotics league must be students with intellectual disabilities
By Business & Property Desk2 min read
The Unified Robotics League, a competition across the United Arab Emirates, requires that at least half the members on each of its 279 teams are students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Schools across the country have paired students with and without disabilities to work together on robot design, coding and problem-solving tasks.
Participation and scope
A total of 1,007 students from 254 schools are taking part in the 2026 edition of the league. The schools are located in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Dubai and Sharjah. Qualifying rounds began on Monday in Al Ain.
Each team must consist of at least 50 percent students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Team members collaborate on robot design, coding and technological solutions.
Qualifying schedule and assessment
The qualifying rounds will take place in five locations. Al Ain hosted 54 teams on 26 and 27 October. Al Dhafra will host 18 teams on 29 October. Dubai will see 80 teams compete on 1 and 2 November. Sharjah will have 25 teams on 3 November. The largest round, with 102 teams, will be in Abu Dhabi from 4 to 6 November.
Teams will be judged on technical performance, innovation, collaboration, presentation and communication. Participants compete in different age groups.
Broader goals and support
The league is part of the Unified Champion Schools programme run by Special Olympics UAE. The programme aims to promote inclusion in schools through shared educational, sporting and social activities. Beyond technical skills, the competition is intended to develop problem-solving, creativity and teamwork, and to give students of different abilities a chance to contribute to a shared project.
Talal Al Hashemi, national director of Special Olympics UAE, said: “The league’s impact extends beyond technical skills. It builds self-confidence, strengthens teamwork and helps build school communities where differences are embraced and every student has the opportunity to contribute.”
Growth and background
ADNOC is the strategic partner supporting the league. Special Olympics UAE was re-established as an independent public benefit organisation in 2017. It runs programmes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on participation, personal development and inclusion.
The league has expanded significantly: from 142 teams from 142 schools in the 2023–24 season, to 202 teams from 165 schools in 2025. Last year’s edition attracted more than 1,600 participants across the UAE, according to the organisers.
