International championship kicks off today (Friday) with participation of 1,294 male and female swimmers representing 122 clubs

• Championship held to contribute in attracting and developing sporting talent in the region

• Focus on an Emirati legacy to create future swimming champions

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (February 13, 2025): The Dubai Open Swimming Championship 2025, one of the most prominent events in the world of swimming this year, will kick off tomorrow (Friday), at the prestigious Hamdan Sports Complex.

Organized by Hamilton Aquatics Academy and ESM in cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council from February 14 to 16, this event falls within the framework of the policy of attracting and developing sports talents launched by the Dubai Sports Council, in keeping with the directives of the Government of Dubai for developing talents in all spheres.

Details of this ambitious championship were announced during a press conference held at the Dubai Sports Council headquarters in the presence of Abdullah Shahdad, Managing Director of Hamdan Sports Complex, Ghazi Al Madani, Head of Private Establishment & Licensing Section, Sports Development Department at the Dubai Sports Council, Pippa Clarke, Managing Director of ESM and Hamilton Aquatics, and British champion swimmer Duncan Scott, who has won several medals at the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Abdullah Shahdad said: “We are pleased at Hamdan Sports Complex to host this international event that brings together a large number of swimmers from different countries of the world, led by Olympic champions and elite world champions. We expect this championship to witness great success, especially with the wide participation of world champions, which gives it weight and distinction and contributes to enhancing competitiveness. It also constitutes an incentive for local athletes to participate and interact with various international schools, which contributes to developing their technical aspects. The great diversity in levels will result in attracting many talented athletes from inside and outside the country.”

Shahdad added: “We are pleased that this championship has continued since 2013 to emerge again in a bigger and stronger form after it was previously known as the Middle East Swimming Championship. We expect it to continue its growth and development, and we will continue to support it to confirm its position as one of the most important swimming championships that enhance sports tourism in Dubai. It is among 58 diverse international and local sports events held at the Hamdan Sports Complex annually, including 28 Olympic and non-Olympic sports, in addition to numerous community events and training camps for teams, national teams and Olympic champions who choose the Hamdan Sports Complex to be their training headquarters in preparation for the largest international championships. The Hamdan Sports Complex has also become a platform for the largest international championships, starting with the 2010 World Swimming Championships, in addition to various international championships in various sports.”

Ghazi Al Madani was thrilled to have the Dubai Sports Council backing such an event. “The Dubai Sports Council is pleased to provide full support for this major event and to cooperate with ESM and Hamilton Aquatics Academy in its organization. Such an event is a model of the successful relationship that we seek to strengthen with the private sector with the aim of spreading sport and physical activity, while attracting and developing sporting talents in partnership with the private sector in order to achieve the strategic goals set by the Dubai Sports Council,” Al Madani said.

Dubai as global development centre

The championship is not only a competitive arena, but it is meant to act as a platform to inspire the next generation of swimmers while supporting the growth of swimming in the UAE and the region.

Pippa Clarke, Managing Director of Hamilton Aquatics, noted: “Through this championship, we seek to support Dubai’s vision as a global capital of sports, and create opportunities for Emirati swimmers to compete against the world’s best. This championship is not just a competition; it is a challenge to redefine boundaries and inspire young talents to represent the UAE on international platforms, and enable the Emirati swimming community to excel on the global stage.

“The Dubai Open Swimming Championships is more than a competition. It’s a celebration of swimming excellence and a platform to inspire future champions. With all proceeds from the event reinvested to grow the sport in the region, this event underscores Dubai’s commitment to becoming an epicenter of global swimming. At Hamilton Aquatics, we are committed to developing swimming in the region, and the Dubai Open Swimming Championships are part of our efforts to support Dubai,” she stressed.

A meeting of global talents

As many as 1,294 swimmers representing 122 international clubs will be competing in 136 diverse races over a period of three days. This includes junior and professional categories, giving local swimmers the opportunity to interact with top-level international swimming stars.

The championship will see the participation of a group of Olympic champions and world record holders, in addition to a group of elite swimmers from different countries of the world, making it one of the most competitive and diverse editions ever so far.

The cream of the swimming world led by Olympians Duncan Scott, Noé Ponti, Ben Proud and Mary-Sophie Harvey, will be seen alongside World Championship medalist Lara van Niekerk and Hamilton Aquatics’ Olympians Karin Belbeisi and Christina Rach alongside top swimmers from the UAE and beyond.

Olympic champion Duncan Scott held a session with a group of swimming talents from various academies in the presence of their coaches and parents, explaining to them the professional way of scaling competitions in quest of medals at the Olympics and other international events.

Rich prize fund

Swimmers will compete in finals for all events, with substantial prize money at stake.

The top swimmer, who has the highest accumulated World Aquatics points score across all events will receive $2000.

The King/Queen of Sprints – the ones having the highest accumulated World Aquatics points score across all 50m events will be given $1000.

In addition, there will be cash rewards for podium finishes in the individual events.