Three days of spirited competition culminate in a warm closing ceremony
AJMAN, UAE: The Royal Academy, Ajman, under the aegis of North Point Education (NPE), played proud host to the CBSE UAE Cluster Handball Tournament 2026. Around 800 promising young athletes from all over the UAE, representing 26 schools, competed across the Boys U-14, U-17 & U-19 categories. The tournament, 3-action-packed days, once again affirmed The Royal Academy’s standing as a premier venue for inter-school sporting excellence in the UAE.
From the moment participating schools arrived on campus, no effort was spared in ensuring their comfort and convenience. Every logistical detail, from hospitality to on-ground facilities, was meticulously planned and executed, reflecting NPE’s longstanding commitment to hosting events of the highest standard. Visiting teams, coaches, and accompanying staff were welcomed with a warmth that set the tone for the days to follow, with campus arrangements designed to make every guest feel genuinely at home.
On the court, the tournament saw fast-paced, high-intensity handball played at a remarkably competitive level. The matches began at 6:00 am on 17th September and continued until 5:00 pm each day. Matches across all three age categories were displayed sharp tactical awareness, disciplined teamwork, and impressive individual skill.
Speaking about the choice of sport, Dr. Prema, Principal of The Royal Academy, said: “When we talk about sports, football and hockey are the names that most often come to mind. We chose handball because of our great interest in the game; an interest shared not only by our children but by many people across the UAE. Our hope is that handball will, in time, become as popular as football, hockey and cricket.”
Throughout the three days, players and teams were seen cheering for their opponents, offering encouragement even in the heat of competition, and celebrating good play regardless of which side produced it. This spirit of mutual respect and sportsmanship, arguably as important to the CBSE cluster ethos as the results themselves, was on full display, earning appreciation from coaches, officials, and observers alike.
By the time the final whistle blew on the third day, 19th September, worthy champions had emerged in each category. The results: Under-14: Winner – Metropolitan International English School, Ajman, 1st Runners-Up – Eminence Private School, Fujairah. 2nd Runners-Up (2 schools) –Cosmopolitan Indian International School, Ajman & Royal Private English School, Fujairah. Under-17: Winner – Metropolitan International English School, Ajman. 1st Runners Up – Delhi Private School, Ajman. 2nd Runners-Up (2 schools) – Habitat School, Ajman & Al Ameer English School, Ajman. Under-19: Winner – Delhi Private School, Ajman. 1st Runners-Up – Private International English School, Abu Dhabi. 2nd Runners-Up shared by Indian International School, DSO & India International School, Sharjah.
The cluster winners will now go on to compete in the CBSE National Handball Championship. The results revealed that every team that took to the court did so with commitment and competitive fire, in which the standard of play across the board was noticeably high.
The prize-distribution ceremony with the host School Leaders, along with the NPE Senior Management Team was befitting the occasion, a glorious feel-good culmination to three days of hard-fought competition. Winners were felicitated amid applause, and the atmosphere throughout was one of celebration, pride, and shared achievement.
While the players, coaches, and dignitaries were in the spotlight, organisers acknowledged the considerable, often unseen, effort that goes into staging a tournament of this scale. From the coordination of schedules and facilities to the countless logistical details that ensure smooth execution, the event’s success rested heavily on the dedication of support staff who worked quietly behind the scenes. Their contribution deserves sincere recognition and gratitude.
Another successful edition of the tournament wound up, with The Royal Academy expressing pride in having once again delivered an event that combined competitive excellence with genuine warmth and hospitality, a philosophy that continues to guide NPE’s approach to sport, education, and community engagement alike. As this year’s tournament winds up, North Point Education looks ahead with anticipation to future opportunities to host, celebrate, and champion young sporting talent across the region.
