The phrase "abilities instead of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing or contrasting different skills or capabilities, indicating a preference for one over another.
Example: "We should focus on developing our abilities instead of merely relying on technology."
Alternatives: "skills rather than" or "capabilities in place of".
The focus was not on the athletes' disabilities, but their abilities; instead of poring over their back stories, it celebrated their extraordinary prowess.
These squads build leaders with self-confidence, lead to college scholarships and give young women the chance to value their bodies for their athletic abilities instead of their sexual appeal.
Ms. Donaghy, who helped found SKIP Camp, as it is known, in the Miami area four years ago, said she hopes it will let children dependent on technology focus on their abilities instead of their disabilities.
He and his mother are fervent members of a black Pentecostal church -- although even here the bishop warns him against trusting too much in his own abilities instead of in God.
Beau Flynn, producer of "The Rite," said that Hungary's relative inexperience as a host for international productions had led to his spending 16 weeks scouting locations and assessing the crew's abilities, instead of the 12 weeks it would have taken in Los Angeles.
However, relying only on that model may result in assessing abilities instead of competency.
To overcome this, the author focused on evolving an on-line learning ability instead of weight parameters in a simulated environment.
After weeks of bitter debate and a volley of letters in the local paper, the Village Board voted last month to let the Little League separate players age 9 through 12 by their ability instead of by their school grade.
A three year partnership aims to improve basic reading and numeracy skills in primary schools by re-organizing children according to ability instead of age or grade, and by providing focused, tailored instruction.
"I've got players around me who are not afraid to show their ability instead of just trying to give me the ball or give Landon the ball," Beckham said.
"We've spoken before about winning games on ability instead of collective effort.
