Saeed Abdul Ghaffar, Director General of the General Authority for Sports (GAS), has reaffirmed the authority’s unwavering commitment to realising the ambitious goals of the National Sports Strategy 2031. This dedication comes amidst the remarkable progress witnessed in the UAE sports sector over the past years.

Expressing his profound gratitude to the visionary leadership for their unwavering support of sports and athletes, Abdul Ghaffar hailed the UAE’s transformation into a global sports hub, evident in its successful hosting of numerous major international sporting events and its ability to attract world-renowned stars across various disciplines.

“We now have 47 sports federations encompassing 41,363 athletes, including 34,203 men and 7,160 women,” Abdul Ghaffar proudly stated.

In an exclusive interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Abdul Ghaffar outlined the authority’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and development across the sports spectrum. This includes fostering sporting
excellence, elevating the competitiveness of Emirati sports, and strengthening the UAE’s presence on the global sports scene, all in alignment with the aspirations of the UAE’s visionary leadership.

“The National Sports Strategy 2031 serves as the overarching framework for all sports initiatives and transformative projects during the upcoming phase, guided by the clear vision of the Emirati sports sector,” Abdul Ghaffar asserted.

He emphasised the authority’s collaborative approach, working closely with its partners in the sports sector to execute these ambitious projects. “The first category of partners represents the primary entities involved in implementing the strategy, while the second category includes sports councils, the Emirates Elite and High-Performance Sports Committee, sports federations, and Olympic committees. The third category encompasses leagues, clubs, the private sector, local ministries, and development projects,” Abdul Ghaffar elaborated.

As the UAE embarks on a new chapter in its spo
rting journey, the General Authority for Sports remains firmly committed to playing a pivotal role in achieving the National Sports Strategy 2031 targets and propelling the UAE to the forefront of the global sports landscape.

He outlined a comprehensive timeline for implementing the ambitious projects of the National Sports Strategy 2031. This phased approach will drive the UAE’s transformation into a global sports powerhouse over the next decade.

The strategy will be implemented in three distinct stages, spanning until 2031. The first stage, commencing immediately, will focus on initiating eight priority projects by the end of this year. Several projects have already commenced through collaboration between the authority and relevant partners.

The second stage, spanning a maximum of three years, will witness the execution of seven projects, while the final stage will see the launch of two projects, marking the successful completion of the strategy.

Abdul Ghaffar underscored the enactment of the sports law
as a pivotal milestone in the UAE’s sporting journey. This landmark legislation reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to sports development, positioning it as a cornerstone of the nation’s soft power.

“The sports law represents a qualitative leap in the progression and growth of the sports sector in the UAE,” Abdul Ghaffar affirmed. “It is the culmination of five years of dedicated efforts by the authority, experts, and specialists.”

A specialised committee of 15 individuals meticulously crafted the law, ensuring a comprehensive and integrated framework that aligns with the National Sports Strategy 2031.

“The law aims to enhance the operational systems within sports entities, propelling their performance to new heights both locally and globally,” Abdul Ghaffar explained. “It provides essential support for various entities to achieve their objectives in community and competitive sports.”

The authority’s vision is to establish a pioneering sports community capable of achieving regional, continental, and
international accolades. This will be achieved by reinforcing new standards for Emirati sports, characterised by governance based on partnership, a relentless pursuit of excellence, and a steadfast commitment to solidifying the UAE’s unique position on the global sports map.

Regarding the authority’s commitment to empowering women in the sports sector, Abdul Ghaffar emphasised the ongoing efforts to enhance their presence in decision-making positions and boost their participation in community sports.

“Emirati women have made remarkable contributions to the sports sector,” Abdul Ghaffar proudly stated. “We are immensely proud of their active involvement in managerial roles, with three women currently presiding over the boards of directors in three out of the five new federations established in December 2021.”

He highlighted the achievements of Noura Al Jasmi (Badminton Federation), Dr. Huda Al Matroushi (Modern Pentathlon Federation), and Dr. Amina Al Mazmi (Netball Federation), as well as the appointment o
f Amna Al Warsha (22 years old) as the youngest Secretary-General of a sports federation in the UAE, leading the Darts Federation.

Abdul Ghaffar reiterated the authority’s dedication to developing mechanisms for discovering and nurturing female talents. Collaboration with sports federations will focus on enhancing women’s championships, expanding their participation in continental and international competitions, and boosting competitiveness, particularly in light of the significant regional and international accomplishments achieved by Emirati women in recent years.

He highlighted the authority’s unwavering commitment to empowering people of determination, strengthening governance within sports federations, upholding integrity, and promoting sustainability in the UAE’s sports sector.

Abdul Ghaffar emphasised the authority’s dedication to ensuring the active participation of people of determination in sports activities. “The sports law safeguards the right of people of determination to engage in physical an
d sports activities across educational and professional settings, sports clubs, and the formation of national teams for sporting events,” he asserted.

“The authority is committed to implementing comprehensive strategies, policies, and initiatives that open up horizons for people of determination,” Abdul Ghaffar stated, underscoring the authority’s unwavering commitment to supporting and uplifting them, enabling them to realize their sporting ambitions.

Addressing the development of operational systems and governance within sports federations, Abdul Ghaffar highlighted the launch of the Sports Federations Governance Guide, developed in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee nearly two years ago. “This pioneering guide, the first of its kind in the Middle East, fosters an organisational environment within sports federations that empowers their players to excel on regional and global platforms, enhancing the reputation and esteemed position of the UAE in various sporting events,” he explained.

Abdu
l Ghaffar emphasised the authority’s focus on embedding integrity practices as a cornerstone of its strategic plan to elevate Emirati sports. He reiterated the authority’s ongoing efforts to promote sports integrity within the UAE, stating: “The authority introduced the Sports Governance Department in its new organisational structure, tasked with overseeing institutional operations and regulating professional, technical, and administrative sports behavior within sports entities. Integrity forms an integral part of this initiative, aimed at enhancing flexibility and transparency in the country’s sports framework.”

In line with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability in 2023, Abdul Ghaffar highlighted the authority’s continuous collaboration with strategic partners to enhance sustainable practices in sports facilities and conserve environmental resources. “We are increasingly emphasising the integration of sustainability into various sporting events, encouraging participants to adhere to its standards,” he stated. “T
his commitment to sustainability stems from the dedication of institutions in the sports sector to governmental directives.”

Abdul Ghaffar commended the remarkable success of the Global Media Congress in its second edition, recognising its role in solidifying the UAE’s position in elevating the global media vision, engagement, and insight into the most significant changes and developments, particularly as the current edition encompasses several aspects related to sports media.

“Allocating a space for sports media in the Congress will undoubtedly yield positive results, both present and future,” Abdul Ghaffar asserted. “As the UAE has emerged as the capital of global sports, a haven for its stars, and a crucial hub for preparing teams and national squads of countries worldwide before continental and international sports competitions, sports media in the UAE now holds significant influence in families and society. We anticipate its impact to grow in the future, with the potential to enhance influential sports
media content that considers technological advancements within the media sector, including artificial intelligence and social media.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)