06th February 2025 – The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has successfully engaged thousands of students across Abu Dhabi through its Schools Program, designed to inspire young minds aged 2-18, to promote creativity, and introduce the next generation to the world of tennis.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi School Assemblies initiative, which reached more than 17,000 students across 50 schools, has provided an exceptional blend of education and sport, reinforcing the tournament’s commitment to youth development and community engagement.
The Program connected with students across charter, private, public schools, and nurseries in Abu Dhabi city, Madinat Zayed, Madinat Riyad, Al Falah, Shahama, Shamkha , Shakhbout City, Khalifa City, Musaffa, Mohammad Bin Zayed City, Baniyas, Masdar City and Al Ain.
Over the course of 15 days, a dedicated team delivered 2,400 hours of engagement, covering more than 1,800 kilometres to bring the excitement of the tournament, currently taking place at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, directly into schools.
As part of the initiative, seven dedicated tennis sessions were held across schools, introducing 500 students to the sport by Tennis 360, aimed at inspiring a lifelong love of tennis, designed to plant the seed for future champions and encourage young students to explore the game further.
Encouraging artistic expression, the programme also introduced two Nationwide Art Competitions, igniting students’ creativity in a dynamic and competitive environment:
- Cap Couture Competition: 500 students took part in a creative challenge to design tennis caps, that are proudly displayed in the Mubadala Tennis Village, celebrating their artistic talents. The three winners were from Al Azm Charter School – Sara Saif Rashed Almazrouei, Dareen Mesfer Alkarbi and Dana Abdullah.
- T-shirt Design Competition: With 120 students participating, the competition showcased exceptional creativity, with the following students emerging as winners: Ami Eljigen, Grace Spare & Gunhee Kim from Amity Abu Dhabi, Noor Ul Huda from Emirates International Future Academy and Kaavya Maloo from Pearl British Academy.
The tournament will welcome an expected 25,000+ students and teachers in over 300 school buses. Through parental engagement, children were also invited to sign up for the Nationwide Art Competitions and the prestigious Ball Kids Program, fostering a sense of community, pride, and unity within the tournament experience.
Nigel Gupta, Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Tournament Director, said: “The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is more than just a world-class sporting event, it is a platform for inspiring the next generation.
“Through our Schools Program, we are not only introducing young people to the excitement of professional tennis but also fostering creativity, teamwork, and a lifelong love for the sport. The overwhelming response from students, parents, and schools has been truly remarkable, and we are proud to see the Program making such a meaningful impact across the emirate.”
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Schools Program continues to solidify the tournament’s role as a catalyst for positive change, inspiring young people both on and off the court.
By merging education, sport, and creativity, the programme has provided a unique platform for students to develop new skills, gain exposure, and engage with one of the UAE’s premier sporting events.
For more information on the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and its Schools Program, visit www.mubadalaabudhabiopen.com.