Strategy at the Sport Industry Forum
ABU DHABI, UAE – 04.10.2023: His Excellency Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Executive
Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General Authority of Sports, began the Sport
Industry Forum today with a presentation on the National Sports Strategy – 2031.
The strategy was presented to over 350 senior attendees working in sport, community, health
and education, who gathered at the WB Abu Dhabi by Hilton on Yas Island.
Sheikh Suhail said: “The National Sports Strategy – 2031 seeks to create an influential, globally
competitive sports sector which inspires an active lifestyle. The strategy will implement 17
initiatives by the end of its cycle, including identifying and developing talented athletes and
increasing the percentage of the physically active adult population to 71%.
He added: “National priority sports have also been identified around the criteria of Olympic
potential, ease of implementation and existing athlete talent. Our aim is to ensure 30
qualifying athletes for the Brisbane Olympics 2032, increasing from the 5 we saw at Tokyo
Olympics 2021.”
Sheikh Suhail was followed by Her Excellency Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the
Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, who is also Vice Chairwoman of
Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and a Board Member of Abu Dhabi Sports
Council.
Dr. Omniyat spoke about the Centre’s latest initiatives, and how the Abu Dhabi health sector
works with its counterparts in sports and education to improve physical activity, health and
well-being, and reduce the burden of lifestyle diseases.
Other day-one highlights included interviews with Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks,
and Ethan Casson, CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves, ahead of their teams squaring up in
the NBA Abu Dhabi Games later this week. Both Cynt and Ethan shared “Diary of a CEO” style
leadership lessons from their time at the helm of major sports organizations.
Day two of the Sport Industry Forum, which is officially supported by the Department of
Culture and Tourism and Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, begins
tomorrow. The day includes exclusive interviews with Shaima Alhusseini, CEO of the Saudi
Sports for All Federation, and former Manchester United and Aston Villa F.C. legend Dwight
Yorke.
