Objectives of the National Sports Strategy-2031

The "National Sports Strategy - 2031" aims to adopt a set of ambitious objectives. These objectives encompass Adoption of an Active Lifestyle for more than 71% of the population, Qualification of more than 30 athletes to represent the UAE in the Olympic Games, and Economic Contribution of the sports sector to 0.5% to the non-oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The strategy is geared towards achieving these objectives through a multi-pronged approach, which includes:

1. Scouting Sports Talent: Fostering programs and infrastructure that facilitate the discovery and nurturing of local sports talent, enabling them to reach their full potential and compete effectively at a global level.
2. Strengthening Sports Organization and Management: Focusing on improving the performance of sports federations, enhancing their administrative and institutional capabilities, and raising the overall standard of sports management.
3. Attracting International Sporting Events: Aspiring to position the UAE as a global sports destination by actively attracting and hosting major international sporting events and tournaments.
4. Developing Sports Infrastructure: Committing to modernizing sports infrastructure, encompassing stadiums, sports centers, and training facilities, to align with global standards.
5. Achieving Sports Excellence: Pursuing excellence in the Olympic Games and various world championships, with the aim of establishing the UAE as a prestigious sporting country on the international stage.
6. International Cooperation in Sports: Enhancing international collaboration within the realm of sports by consolidating sports relations with other countries and active participation in international sporting events and tournaments.
7. Promoting Sports Sustainability: Fostering sports sustainability by encouraging regular physical activity and promoting health and physical fitness across all segments of society.
8. Enhancing Community Participation: Encouraging individuals of all age groups, from children to the elderly, to actively engage in various sports activities.
9. Developing the Transformation of Sports Federations: Focusing on refining the transformation of sports federations in the UAE by enhancing organizational structures and strengthening administrative capabilities.
10. Developing the Sports Workforce: Nurturing human resources within the sports sector by providing continuous training and development. This encompasses specialized training courses and programs designed to elevate the skills and expertise of coaches, administrators, referees, and sports officials.
11. Developing Sports Law and Governance: Recognizing the importance of sports governance in ensuring transparency and integrity in the management of this sector. The strategy is committed to elevating the status of sports both at the national and international levels.

Formulating Policies and Procedures

Three Strategic Directions:

1. Promoting the Practice of Sports and Fostering Active Lifestyles within the community.
2. Developing the Abilities of Sporting Talents.
3. Supporting the Growth of Sports Sector Institutions.

Within this comprehensive strategy, the General Authority of Sports is resolutely dedicated to fortifying the policies and procedures that pave the way for the active participation of the UAE in a plethora of international tournaments, including the prestigious Olympic Games.

Pioneering Programs and Initiatives

The "National Sports Strategy - 2031" stands as a comprehensive roadmap, targeting the adoption of an active lifestyle for more than 71% of the population, the qualification of more than 30 individuals to the Olympic Games, and an economic contribution of 0.5% to the non-oil GDP by 2031. To realise these goals, the General Authority of Sports has embarked on a journey encompassing 17 distinct initiatives, a blend of three transformational undertakings and 14 strategic ventures, rolled out progressively over three meticulously planned phases spanning until 2031.

Three Transformational Initiatives:

1. Education Sector
2. Developing the Centralization of Elite and High-Level Sports
3. Transforming Sports Federations

Fourteen Strategic Initiatives Include:

1. The National Sports Survey
2. The Updated School Physical Education Methodology
3. Collective Participation Programs Framework
4. Discovering Sporting Talents
5. Financing Talented Athletes
6. Elite and High-Level Athletes Development
7. Developing the Professional Lives of Athletes
8. Developing the Workforce in the Sports Sector
9. Harmonizing the Sector through the Coordinating Council for Sports
10. Developing Sports Law and Code of Conduct for Governance
11. Digital Transformation
12. Regulating Access to Public Facilities
13. Developing Sports Facilities
14. Developing a Sports Marketing and Promotion Framework
15. Developing a Framework and Plan for Hosting Influential Sports Events

First Phase:

1. Sports competition games in the education sector
2. Developing the centralization of elite and high-level sports
3. Developing the transformation of sports federations
4. National Sports Survey
5. The updated school physical education methodology
6. Software designed to activate collective participation
7. Funding talented athletes and elite athletes
8. Developing the professional life of sports talents

Second Phase:

1. Discovering sports talents
2. Developing the workforce in the sports sector
3. Aligning the sector through the Sports Coordinating Council
4. Developing sports law and code of conduct for governance
5. Digitization
6. Regulating access to public facilities
7. Developing sports facilities

Third Phase:

1. Sports Marketing and Promotion Framework
2. Framework and plan for hosting influential sporting events

Strategy 2031 - In Progress

The General Authority of Sports has diligently forged partnerships with diverse stakeholders, propelling several key initiatives into the implementation phase within the inaugural stage of Strategy 2031. Amongst these endeavors, several standout initiatives have made substantial strides towards realization:

1. Sports Law Development:

   A cornerstone of the strategy, the development of Sports Law holds paramount significance. It addresses professionalism in sports, sports engagement for people of determination, athlete welfare, and policies governing international sports relations. Notably, the law has already undergone comprehensive discussions and secured approval within the esteemed Federal National Council.

2. Priority Sports:

   The General Authority of Sports has accorded its endorsement to the "Priority Sports Initiative," a strategic move that spotlights five sports disciplines: archery, athletics, fencing, shooting, and judo. There are 2,300 athletes engaged in these five sports, with a remarkable 12% among them poised to ascend to the high echelons.

3. School Games Championship:

   Under the vigilant oversight of the Emirates Sports Federation for school and university education institutions, the General Authority of Sports has inaugurated a preliminary iteration of the School Games Championship project. More than 1,500 students engaged in the second stage qualifiers, culminating in 593 male and female students qualifying for the final stage, with 300 students clinching coloured medals across athletics, swimming, badminton, taekwondo, archery, football, judo, fencing, and jujitsu.

4. Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Level Sports:

   The General Authority of Sports has ushered in the "Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Level Sports" initiative, handpicking 22 exceptionally talented Emirati athletes to enroll in the elite professional program across eight diverse sports disciplines. To accomplish its objectives, the committee channels its efforts along two primary avenues of support:

   1. Supporting Priority Sports Federations: This involves empowering sports federations to independently cultivate the various facets of their respective sports.
   2. Supporting Elite Athletes: The committee extends comprehensive support to the elite of Emirati athletes.

Nurturing Partnerships for Sporting Excellence

Click on the link to view Partners Data Record of the General Authority of Sports