Dubai is preparing to host the 7th Labor Sports Tournament, a 10-month sporting festival organised by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) under the theme “Their Happiness is Our Goal.” The tournament opens on Sunday, September 28, 2025, and runs until June 30, 2026, making it the largest and longest edition to date.
This year’s event features 19 competitions across 14 different sports, drawing thousands of male and female workers from diverse nationalities and professional backgrounds. The expansion underscores DSC’s commitment to promoting physical activity, cultural inclusivity, and workplace wellbeing.
Badminton kicks off the season
The opening event is the men’s and women’s badminton championship, staged at the Delsco Sports Hall and running until October 12, 2025. Hundreds of participants representing companies across Dubai are expected to compete, setting the tone for an extensive programme that blends competitive spirit with community building.
Expanded sports programme
For the first time, the tournament includes cycling and marathon events, reflecting its growing scale and variety. Traditional favourites such as kabaddi, football, basketball, volleyball, arm wrestling, tug of war, swimming, cricket, and throwball remain key highlights.
The number of women-specific championships has also increased, broadening opportunities for female workers to participate and encouraging companies to support inclusivity in the workplace.
Community focus
The competitions will take place across several labour community venues in Dubai, ensuring accessibility for workers in different areas of the emirate. Events will also coincide with national and international occasions, including UAE National Day and International Workers’ Day, reinforcing the social and cultural significance of the initiative.
Officials emphasise that the tournament reflects Dubai’s recognition of workers’ contributions to nation-building and sustainable development. By offering structured sports activities, the DSC seeks to improve workers’ health, happiness, and morale — factors directly linked to productivity and workplace satisfaction.
Objectives and partnerships
The DSC has outlined clear objectives: improving physical fitness, fostering social interaction, promoting recreational and competitive activities, and enhancing cooperation between public and private institutions.
The event is organised in collaboration with several national partners, including the Permanent Committee for Labor Affairs in Dubai, Dubai Police, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security. These partnerships ensure robust institutional support and highlight Dubai’s model of community engagement through sport.
A growing tradition
Now in its seventh year, the Labor Sports Tournament has become a cornerstone of Dubai’s sporting calendar, evolving steadily in scale, participation, and social impact. The DSC’s long-term vision is to cultivate a distinguished and happy sporting community, where sport becomes a unifying force for health, wellbeing, and inclusivity.
As the first players step onto the badminton courts this week, organisers say the tournament embodies a simple yet powerful message: sport is for everyone.
