Suhail bin Butti reviews potential of National Sports Strategy 2031 to support UAE’s sports sector

H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General Authority of Sports (GAS), attended the seventh edition of the Sports Industry Forum 2023 held in Abu Dhabi, from October 4 to 5, 2023, under the sponsorship of Department of Community Development and Department of Culture and Tourism. The forum, which witnessed the participation of several Emirati officials and over 200 dignitaries, explored ways to solve the challenges faced by the sports sector in the region and discussed potential opportunities it could present. In addition, the forum shed light on the possibilities of bringing the efforts of all concerned parties under a single roof to accelerate the development of sports across the Gulf region. 

While attending the first session, H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum reviewed the National Sports Strategy 2031, focusing on its significant objectives and transformational and strategic projects. In addition, H.E. assessed the strategy’s potential to drive substantial advancements in Emirati sports, aligning with global standards and adapting to a significant evolution of the sports sector regionally and internationally. The strategy is aimed at elevating the status of sports to a prominent global sector, serving as a vital pillar for both human and economic development.

H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, said, “The National Sports Strategy 2031, a collaborative effort between GAS and our partners, has been meticulously crafted following an extensive analysis of the sports landscape in the UAE. Drawing from the sports reality of the UAE and the best international studies and practices, this strategy serves as a cornerstone for achieving the nation’s sports ambitions in the next stage. It aspires to provide a comprehensive and cohesive roadmap, ushering in a new era for the UAE’s sports sector marked by regional and global accomplishments. The strategy aligns with the vision and aspirations of our wise leadership, which places a strong emphasis on sports as a means to empower women and reinforce the UAE’s position on the global stage.”

He added, “The strategy includes 17 ambitious projects, which are categorised into three transformational and 14 strategic projects. The initial phase already witnessed the commencement of several initiatives, with a key focus on enhancing professional elite sports and the initiation of a pilot version of the ‘School Games’ project. In the upcoming phase, there will be rigorous efforts among all stakeholders in the country to execute all strategic projects in accordance with the scheduled time frame. These collaborative efforts seek to propel the Emirati sports sector to unprecedented levels of excellence and nurture a thriving society that is capable of remarkable achievements.”

Furthermore, H.E. Butti Al Maktoum, explained, “We are relentlessly working to attain the key objectives outlined in the main strategy by 2031. These goals include raising the sports participation rate within society to 71 percent, in alignment with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Furthermore, the efforts seek to elevate the contribution of sports to the non-oil GDP by eight-fold to reach 0.5 percent as well as raise the number of athletes qualified for the Olympics to over 30. These efforts are aimed at heightening the status of Emirati sports on a global level, further enhancing the prospects for athletes to secure a position on the international stage and raise the UAE flag in various international sports events.”   

The Sports Industry Forum is one of the leading sports sectors gathering in the region, where sports industry officials, prominent brand representatives, sports federations, clubs and major event organisers convene to address the significant challenges confronted by the sports sector. The platform serves as an ideal platform to devise solutions and launch initiatives aimed at driving necessary transformations for the advancement of sports in the region. In addition, the forum fosters direct interactions between attendees and decision-makers in the sports sector to facilitate open discussion.