Page 27 - Ministry of Sports PR Report - October 2024

10/24/24, 10:12 AM Ministry of Sports leads ‘Future of Sports Retreat' with participation of UAE Ministers, Sector Leaders, and Olympic athletes to ex…
Scientific Research, His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, along with
several esteemed heads of sports federations and prominent sports personalities and athletes in the country.

Discussions focused on the development of strategies to continue to strengthen and expand the sector to achieve
leadership's vision to realize the full potential social and economic impact of sports on the future of the UAE. That
included discussing the development of youth and the country's future elite athletes, how to promote
professionalism among emerging athletes, as well as exploring the potential of sports as a form of public diplomacy

to enhance the UAE's global position and advance nation branding objectives.

During his opening speech, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, said: “This retreat

presents a valuable opportunity for the entire Emirati sports community and affiliated partners to come together as
one to plan for the future of UAE sports. Our aim is to develop recommendations and initiatives that will pave the
way for a new beginning, driving the growth of our sports sector to maximize its potential contribution and impact on
a prosperous and sustainable future of this country and its people.”

“The government's decision to establish the Ministry of Sports reflects its commitment to making a significant leap
forward in the national sports ecosystem. This important step reflects the government's dedication towards
empowering our current and future athletes and enabling the promise of Emirati youth to achieve their full potential

for leadership and excellence. The retreat is a vital first step as we come together as one family to shape the future
of this sector to contribute to the realisation of the government's vision and direction of the country for the next
decade and help transform these ambitions into reality,” His Excellency added.

Expressing his pride on the sports champions who represented the country in Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic
Games, His Excellency addressed them with a motivational speech, saying: “You have been symbols of resilience
and success in sports, embodying the determination and perseverance needed for our sports sector and its future
athletes to realize success at the highest levels. We believe that you represent the hope and foundation for the

future of our sports sector and serve as true role models for new generations of Emirati athletes.”

The retreat provided participants an opportunity to reflect the significance of collaboration and combined efforts
among all partners in the sports sector to achieve the core objectives of the initial phase of National Sports Strategy

2031. In less than a year, the UAE sports community has realized a completion rate of approximately 95 percent of
all eight high-priority projects in the first phase of the new national sports strategy. Core pillars of the UAE's sports
strategy include increasing the community member participation in sports to 75 percent by 2031, raising the number

of athletes qualifying for the Olympic Games to over 30 by the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and intensifying efforts to
boost the sports sector's contribution to the non-oil GDP, aiming for 0.5 per cent by 2031.

The “Future of Sports Retreat” program featured a series of brainstorming sessions that focussed on five key topics:

Youth and Sports, University Sports, Sports and International Public Diplomacy, Expanding Olympic Participation,
and Identifying and Supporting Development of Elite Athletes. Additionally, the event honoured athletes who
participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, for their exceptional performances during the event
and their significant contributions to enhancing the UAE's positive reputation on the global sports scene.

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