Eight teams have qualified overall for the Men’s Battle of the Government and Battle of the Community finals at Dubai Games 2026 following the third heats of competition at Dubai Festival City.
Ajman Government topped the standings in the Battle of the Government event with 123.29 points, followed by Abu Dhabi Police, Dubai Police and the Department of Digital Ajman. The heats involved 546 competitors across 78 teams representing local and federal government entities, competing over a course of seven obstacles designed to test teamwork, endurance and speed.
The second day of the tournament also featured the Battle of the Community category. Ajman Stud led that field with 137 points, followed by F3, NAS and AJ, all securing places in the finals.
Dubai Games 2026 runs until February 15 and brings together teams from government bodies and the wider community for a multi-day team challenge competition.
Organisers say the event aims to promote physical activity and teamwork across different sectors of society.
Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year after withdrawing on Friday with a wrist injury, dealing another blow to the world number two's clay court preparations ahead of his French Open title defence.
Novak Djokovic is still working through the injury problems that forced him to miss recent tournaments in Miami and Monte Carlo and said on Friday that he will not feature at next week's Madrid Open, one of the last stops before the French Open.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has defended Jasprit Bumrah after the struggling pace spearhead went a fifth Indian Premier League match without a wicket in Thursday's seven-wicket defeat by Punjab Kings.
Iranian women's football players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives.
Ollie Watkins still has hope of making England's World Cup squad despite being dropped for last month's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with the Aston Villa forward saying all he can do in the last few weeks of the season is score goals.
Dubai Police, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior, have arrested an Irish fugitive accused of involvement in an organised criminal group linked to international crimes in his home country.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to discuss national priorities and the country’s continued development.