EBBF and Emirates Sports join hands to promote Strongman sport in UAE

Vladimir Burdun, president of the World Strongman Federation and CEO of Emirates Sports, praised the professional sports mindset of the Emirates Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (EBBF), led by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Bin Saif Al Sharqi.

He highlighted the high yet realistic ambition of the Emirati bodybuilding community, which led to the signing of a cooperation agreement to promote and develop the practice of the Strongman sport according to the highest global standards.

In January 2025, the UAE Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Emirates Sports Group, headquartered in Dubai.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah.

Strongman is a competitive strength sport which tests athletes physical strength and endurance through a variety of heavy lifts and events.

This partnership is dedicated to fostering the growth of the Strongman, strengthening the landscape of strength and fitness disciplines in the UAE, and working towards a transformative impact in the field.

The agreement also outlines plans to organize large-scale competitions at both local and international levels, with a long-term vision of expanding the sport’s reach.

Burdan stated:“We aim to push boundaries to make Dubai the global capital of this sport, given its outstanding infrastructure and strong athletic base that supports the development of various individual sports. Additionally, the expertise of the federation’s leadership and members extends to highly skilled staff who execute their roles with exceptional precision.”

He also added: “The agreement will remain in effect for four years, with the possibility of extension. Our ambition is to collaborate on establishing an educational academy for strength sports, tug-of-war, the Strongman competition, and arm wrestling. Moreover, we aim to work together on launching a competitive fitness league and promoting functional fitness sports.”