Page 35 - GAS PR REPORT - October 2023

Sheikh Suhail said: "The National Sports Strategy - 2031 seeks to create an influential,

globally competitive sports sector which inspires an active lifestyle. The strategy will
implement 17 initiatives by the end of its cycle, including identifying and developing
talented athletes and increasing the percentage of the physically active adult

population to 71%.

He added: “National priority sports have also been identified around the criteria of
Olympic potential, ease of implementation and existing athlete talent. Our aim is to

ensure 30 qualifying athletes for the Brisbane Olympics 2032, increasing from the 5
we saw at Tokyo Olympics 2021.”

Sheikh Suhail was followed by Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive
Director of the Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, who is
also Vice Chairwoman of Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and a Board
Member of Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Dr. Omniyat spoke about the Centre’s latest initiatives, and how the Abu Dhabi health
sector works with its counterparts in sports and education to improve physical

activity, health and well-being, and reduce the burden of lifestyle diseases.

Other day-one highlights included interviews with Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas
Mavericks, and Ethan Casson, CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves, ahead of their

teams squaring up in the NBA Abu Dhabi Games later this week. Both Cynt and Ethan
shared “Diary of a CEO” style leadership lessons from their time at the helm of major

sports organizations.

Day two of the Sport Industry Forum, which is officially supported by the Department
of Culture and Tourism and Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi,

begins tomorrow. The day includes exclusive interviews with Shaima Alhusseini, CEO
of the Saudi Sports for All Federation, and former Manchester United and Aston Villa
F.C. legend Dwight Yorke.