Hala Belselah is building a lasting legacy for the UAE with her third consecutive World Veteran Fencing Championships appearance.
The Emirati athlete demonstrates the enduring value of commitment, opportunity and lifelong sporting ambition.
Hala has added another proud chapter to the UAE’s sporting journey, finishing 37th in the women’s épée 50–59 category at the 2026 World Veteran Fencing Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Bringing together 1,273 athletes from 65 nations, the championships provide a global platform for experienced competitors united by their dedication to the sport.
Recognised by the UAE Fencing Federation as the first woman to represent the country at the World Veteran Fencing Championships, Hala continues to build upon that pioneering distinction. Her third appearance gives continuity to an important chapter in UAE fencing, demonstrating how an individual breakthrough can develop into sustained international representation.
Her journey carries particular significance for women and girls. An Emirati woman competing on the world stage offers a visible example of what dedication and opportunity can make possible. For younger athletes, she represents a future they can aspire towards. For adults, her continued participation affirms that meaningful sporting goals can be pursued throughout life.
For MK Fencing Academy, Hala’s journey is a source of considerable pride within a commitment to fencing development that began in Dubai in 2002. Across 24 years, the academy has provided coaching, structured programmes and competitive opportunities, helping connect an introduction to the sport with the possibility of international participation.
This connection between community participation and international competition resonates with the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Vision 2033. Built around the four pillars of Community, Events, Clubs and Talent, the strategy places emphasis on expanding participation, strengthening sporting institutions, developing athletes and enhancing Dubai’s global standing in sport.
For the UAE Fencing Federation, Dubai Sports Council and the wider sporting community, journeys such as Hala’s underline the value of continued cooperation in developing the sport. Accessible programmes, quality coaching and meaningful competition opportunities create the conditions in which more athletes can progress.
Hala’s 37th-place finish and third World Championships appearance deserve to be celebrated as part of this continuing story. They reflect personal perseverance, contribute to the UAE’s international sporting presence and offer encouragement to those who may one day follow her onto the piste.
Hala Belselah is helping the next generation believe in what it, too, can achieve.
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