Dubai: The General Department of Training at Dubai Police, in collaboration with the Dubai Police Academy and the Virtual Technology Centre, has launched the region’s first Phygital Football Championship which combines real-world athletic competition with virtual gaming elements. 

Setting the Standard for Smart Sports

Brigadier Badran Saeed Al Shamsi, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Academic and Training Affairs, commended the championship, noting its role in advancing Dubai Police’s commitment to innovation.

“We are proud to offer our cadet officers training experiences that challenge both body and mind,” he said. “The Phygital Championship reflects the future of smart sports—where fitness, strategic thinking, and technology intersect. We aim to continue expanding such forward-looking programmes.”

He added that it aligns with the force’s strategic goals to modernise police training by merging physical performance with mental agility in digitally enhanced environments.

Real and Virtual Competition Combined

The event featured strong participation from cadet officers, who competed in a hybrid format combining on-field football gameplay with digital engagement in a virtual simulation. This created an entirely new layer of competitive excitement and strategic depth, reinforcing coordination, decision-making, and responsiveness skills.

A New Era in Training Innovation

Dubai Police confirmed that this initiative is only the beginning. The force plans to scale the concept further, engaging academic and training institutions both within the UAE and internationally to promote the adoption of “smart sports” in shaping future-ready law enforcement professionals.