Dubai launches its 10-year strategy to develop sports sector

The Dubai Sports Council has approved a 10-year strategy for developing the emirate’s sports sector, with plans to organize 3,000 local, regional and international events and host 1,000 international training camps as part of the strategy.

Approved by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the strategy supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and aims double the contribution of the sports sector to the emirate’s GDP.

He highlighted the importance of implementing initiatives to achieve sustainability in the sports sector, in line with the vision of the UAE leadership and the directives of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who announced 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’.

“The announcement by HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to make 2023 the ‘Year of Sustainability’ reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to implementing sustainability-focused initiatives that seek to ensure a better tomorrow for future generations,” Sheikh Mansoor said as he chaired the meeting of DSC.

“In line with the directives of the UAE President, we remain committed to promoting sustainability in the sports sector.”

The meeting, held at the Council’s headquarters, was attended by Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the DSC; Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police and Member of the DSC’s Board of Directors; and Board Members: Hala Badri, Sami Al Qamzi, Moaza Al Marri, Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the DSC, and Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of the DSC.

Sheikh Mansoor said that 2023 will see the launch of several initiatives that will enhance the performance of the sector and its contribution to the city’s GDP. These initiatives will also reinforce Dubai’s status as a key destination for global sporting events, tournaments, and training camps. The year 2023 will build on the success of 2022, which saw the launch of several global tournaments including the Dubai Super Cup and the World Tennis League, His Highness added.

He also issued directives to increase the number of sports events held annually in Dubai to 500. Progressively, this will be increased to 1,000 events annually, as per the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“The new 2023-2033 strategy announced by the Council will seek to enhance the role of the sports sector in realizing the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). The strategy will also contribute to raising Dubai’s profile as a global sporting destination and a hub for attracting talent,” Sheikh Mansoor said.

The strategy includes a number of initiatives and programs that seek to keep pace with global developments in the sector.

“The key objectives of the strategy include raising the contribution of the sports sector to Dubai’s GDP from 2 per cent to 4 per cent annually, organizing 3,000 local, regional and international events and hosting 1,000 international training camps. The strategy also aims to increase the percentage of sporting events hosted in partnership with the private sector to 90 per cent,” he added.

Sheikh Mansoor also issued directives to develop incentives for promoting sports in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). He also issued directives to launch an award for recognizing schools that have implemented measures to enhance the health and wellbeing of students through sports.

The meeting also discussed policies aimed at attracting athletes to Dubai clubs and reviewed the calendar of events and tournaments that Dubai will host in 2023.

The new strategy includes five pillars:
•    Shaping a new future for sports by developing solutions focused on e-sports, the metaverse and artificial intelligence.
•    Raising Dubai’s sustainability as a global sports destination and the contribution of sports to local GDP.
•    Making sports accessible to all members of the community.
•    Providing a conducive environment for attracting athletes.
•    Establishing an integrated and interconnected digital institutional system that ensures comprehensive governance of the sports sector.