Page 50 - Ministry of Sports PR Report - October 2024

10/23/24, 9:56 AM Latest News
and experiences, explore opportunities and challenges facing Emirati sports, and discuss ways to instil a
culture of sports and active lifestyle across all segments of society.

The retreat was held in the presence of Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National
Olympic Committee, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Her Excellency Reem

bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman bin
Abdulmannan Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher

Education and 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

https://www.arabbnews.com/english/Latest-News.asp?id=17791 2/3