Dubai: The Dubai Sports Council, in partnership with the New Economy Academy, launched the ‘Sports Entrepreneurship Programme’, which aims to qualify and empower Emiratis to lead pioneering investment projects in the sports business field.

The programme is part of the national campaign “UAE: Capital of Entrepreneurship in the World”, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to solidify the UAE’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship.

The programme aims to train and qualify 1,000 young Emirati men and women in the sports sector who aspire to enhance their knowledge and participate in managing, organising and establishing sports-related businesses. This initiative falls under the broader ‘Entrepreneurship’ programme, which targets Emirati entrepreneurs and aims to train 10,000 citizens.

During a lecture delivered at the programme, Qais Al Dhalai, President of the Asian Rugby Federation, emphasised the key principles and foundations for successful investment in the sports sector. He also affirmed that the UAE’s sports sector offers numerous promising opportunities and attracts a growing number of participants in various sports annually. A New Generation of Entrepreneurs

On this occasion, Dr. Laila Faridoun, CEO of the New Economics Academy, emphasised in her speech that the sports sector is undergoing rapid transformations, making it a key driver of the modern economy. This opens up vast opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators to develop new solutions and projects with economic and social value.

She said: “The sports entrepreneurship program represents a significant step towards building a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of transforming innovative sports ideas into sustainable projects.”

She added: “At the New Economy Academy, in collaboration with our partners, we are committed to designing training programmes that combine specialised knowledge with practical application. This ensures that participants acquire the necessary tools and expertise to establish successful sports projects that contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the sports economy and supporting the goals of sustainable economic development in the UAE.”

A national initiative

For his part, Issa Sharif, Director of Sports Events at the Dubai Sports Council, praised the strategic partnership with the New Economy Academy, emphasising that this national initiative plays a pivotal role in empowering national talent and enhancing their contributions to the comprehensive development process.

He explained that the programme provides participants with advanced academic knowledge and expertise, and opens direct communication channels with a select group of investors and entrepreneurs who have achieved success in the sports sector.

Sharif pointed out that the sports sector in Dubai is witnessing a developmental boom and sustainable growth rates, supported by flexible and effective government legislation that has encouraged investors of various nationalities to establish clubs, academies, factories and specialised companies.

The Director of Sports Events at the Dubai Sports Council emphasised the Council’s commitment to providing knowledge and professional support to Emirati youth, ensuring they benefit fully from the promising investment opportunities offered by the sector. This aligns with the core pillars of the “Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033”, which aims to build an integrated sports system and support and develop talent.

He concluded by noting that Dubai has solidified its position as a preferred global sports destination. He pointed out that the ‘World Sports Summit’, held in Dubai every December, serves as a strategic and exemplary platform to highlight the objectives of the “Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033”.

He added that the summit brings together decision-makers and representatives of sports federations, organisations, and companies, providing Emirati youth with the opportunity to meet them closely and build partnerships to develop the sector and enhance the role of national talent in shaping the future of sports.