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Hours before the official opening ceremony, the Abu Dhabi Masters Games 2026 is drawing elite athletes from around the world to the UAE capital. The event, scheduled to take place from February 6 to 15, 2026, represents the largest sporting competition of its kind in the Middle East, with more than 25,000 athletes from over 100 countries competing across 30 different sports.
According to statements posted on social media, Brazilian high jump star Anderson Martins Fil, currently ranked sixth globally and a three-time South American champion, expressed his excitement about participating in the competition. Fellow Brazilian athlete Alexander Santiago Gomez confirmed that the Masters Games experience would be exceptional, praising the event’s organization and team.
Regional Champions Prepare for Abu Dhabi Masters Games
The Abu Dhabi Masters Games 2026 will feature prominent regional talent, including Kuwaiti champion Saleh Al Haddad, who recently won gold in the long jump competition at the Asian Masters Athletics Championship. Al Haddad achieved a distance of 6.88 meters at the November 2025 event held in India, securing first place in the 35-and-over category.
Additionally, Kuwaiti weightlifter Shahad Al Otaibi from Al Nasr Club will participate following her successful performance at the Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar. Her achievements contributed to her club winning the golden cup alongside 12 various medals, according to the report.
Saudi and International Participation Highlights Diversity
The Saudi Arabian delegation consists of 30 male and female athletes competing in various disciplines. Among them is Thuraya bin Laden, an athletics competitor from Al Ula Club who previously won bronze in the 5,000-meter race at the Taiwan Masters Games in 2025.
Meanwhile, British athlete Ashley Adey, 40, from Hove Edge, represents one of thousands of international competitors with inspiring personal stories. Adey will compete in multiple events including tennis singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, as well as the 100-meter sprint, long jump, and shot put.
Training and Preparation for Masters Competition
According to Adey’s statements, he has dedicated extensive hours to gymnasium training and modified his diet in preparation for the competition. He noted that despite turning 40, he feels in the best physical condition of his life, working with specialized sprint training teams.
However, Adey’s participation extends beyond tennis, where he previously competed at Wimbledon. His multi-sport approach reflects the inclusive nature of the Masters Games, which encourages athletic participation among older age groups through five-year age categories starting from 35 years old.
Historic Event for Middle East Sports
The Abu Dhabi Masters Games marks the first time this global sporting event has been held in the Middle East region. The competition enjoys support from both Olympic and Paralympic committees, emphasizing its significance in promoting sports participation across diverse age groups.
In contrast to traditional competitive sports focused on younger athletes, the Masters Games celebrates athletic achievement at all ages. According to the report, the oldest competitor at the previous Taipei edition was over 100 years old, demonstrating the event’s commitment to lifelong athletic participation.
The opening ceremony will officially launch the nine-day competition featuring sports ranging from athletics and tennis to weightlifting and swimming. Athletes like Adey, who previously played semi-professional football for Brighouse Town and Liversedge clubs, view the event as a culmination of lifelong sporting passion and dedication.
Authorities have not yet announced detailed competition schedules for all 30 sports, though athletes continue arriving in Abu Dhabi for final preparations before the February 6 opening ceremony.
