Young innovators from across Kuwait showcased their technical abilities during the Global Technology Competitions 2026. The Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity hosted the event at Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center. More than 180 contestants participated in the competitions, which focused on practical technology and engineering challenges. The programme brought together students and young talents seeking to test their knowledge through demanding competitive activities.
The competitions featured four specialised events covering Maze, Line Follower, Sumo, and Drone challenges. Each category required contestants to demonstrate different technical abilities and develop effective solutions under competitive conditions. Participants relied on programming, logical reasoning, engineering design, navigation, control, and problem-solving throughout the event. Moreover, the competition structure allowed participants to evaluate their approaches and improve their performance between rounds.
Organisers divided the programme into four tracks, allowing all competitions to run simultaneously. The Sumo category included an initial group stage before competitors advanced into knockout rounds. Meanwhile, Maze, Line Follower, and Drone participants completed three rounds before reaching their respective finals. This format gave contestants several opportunities to test their designs and make improvements during the competition.
The centre described the event as part of its continuing efforts to identify and develop national talent. It also aims to strengthen interest in science, technology, engineering, and innovation among younger generations. Furthermore, the competitions provide participants with practical opportunities to apply technical knowledge beyond traditional classroom settings. Such experiences can help young people develop confidence while working through complex technical challenges.
The programme also gives participants exposure to competitive environments that reflect international technology competitions. Consequently, contestants can gain valuable experience while exploring emerging areas of technology and engineering. The centre considers these opportunities important for developing future innovators capable of contributing to Kuwait’s technological progress. It also seeks to prepare talented participants for potential representation at international technology events.
In the Sumo competition, Farah Al-Hais and Luluah Al-Ajmi secured first place. Abdullah Al-Khamsan and Mohsen Al-Badhali finished second, while Abdullah Al-Sayegh and Issa Al-Baghli took third place. The results reflected the contestants’ ability to combine programming, strategy, engineering design, and control during competitive matches.
In the Drone category, Amna Abdullah and Zainab Abdullah claimed first place. Othman Al-Ajmi finished second, while Hassan Akbar Ali and Ali Akbar Ali secured third place. Meanwhile, Waleed Al-Omairi won the Line Follower competition. Sarah Behbehani and Abdullah Baqer came second, followed by Sheikha Al-Safran and Jana Al-Fadhli in third.
The Maze competition saw Abdulhameed Al-Mohammad Ali take first place. Munira Al-Khanna and Saud Al-Khanna finished second, while Qusay Al-Anzi secured third place. Contestants in this category faced challenges requiring accurate navigation, logical planning, and effective technical control.
The organisers also presented five special awards recognising outstanding achievements across the different competitions. Noor Khaja, Hour Al-Baghli, and Dalia Al-Kandari received the Best Strategy award in Sumo. Noura Al-Khazi and Huda Al-Anzi earned Best Navigation in Maze, while Nasser Al-Sharhan and Jassim Al-Yassin received Best Performance in Line Follower.
Additionally, Issa Al-Rashidi and Omar Al-Rashidi won the Best Pilot award in the Drone competition. Aisha Al-Mansour and Luluah Al-Mansour received the Best Programming award across the GEN TEK competitions. These recognitions highlighted specific technical strengths alongside the overall competition results.
Overall, young innovators gained practical experience through challenges that combined technology, creativity, and structured problem-solving. The event also strengthened Kuwait’s efforts to encourage technical talent and cultivate a culture of innovation. Through initiatives such as these competitions, young participants can continue developing skills that support Kuwait’s ambitions in science and technology.
