Minister of Sports Dr. Ahmed Al Falasi confirmed that the World Sports Summit represents a pivotal step in establishing the UAE as a global sports hub by attracting international minds and expertise, and showcasing investment and development opportunities in the sports sector. Ahmed Al Falasi stated in remarks to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during his participation on the first day of the World Sports Summit, currently being held in Dubai, that the participation of over 1,500 individuals from more than 80 countries reflects the great success of the event. He noted that holding the event during the holiday period contributed to attracting a large number of athletes and international experts who prefer to participate in such events during off-seasons. The minister explained that the summit discussed the role of sports as a fundamental element in building communities, emphasizing that sports are no longer limited to competition but have become a powerful tool for promoting public health and mental well-being, shaping the character of children, and developing communication and teamwork skills. Al Falasi also addressed the challenges associated with students' declining participation in sports due to the increasing reliance on screens and technology, despite their positive role, stressing the importance of raising community awareness about physical activity for its direct impact on the health and psychosocial balance of future generations. He affirmed that the UAE has become an attractive environment for athletes and investors, explaining that many international athletes choose the country as a destination for training during off-seasons due to its security, stability, advanced sports infrastructure, modern facilities, favorable climate, and high quality of life. He also touched on the country's direction towards boosting the sports economy by attracting sports talent, expanding the establishment of academies, and transforming the UAE into an incubator for various sports, which was embodied in today's announcement of an agreement with FIFA, along with other agreements supporting this path. Al Falasi clarified that the Ministry of Sports is working on a national sports participation index based on annual measurements and surveys, confirming that the current indicators are positive and reflect a significant increase in community awareness of the importance of sports over the past two years. The minister concluded by affirming that the World Sports Summit marks the beginning of a broader journey aimed at enhancing the UAE's position on the global sports map and setting bigger goals for the sports sector at the national and regional levels.
