Dubai unveils 10-year strategy to develop sports sector

Dubai aims to organise 3,000 local, regional and international events and host 1,000 international training camps as part of a 10-year strategy to develop the sports sector.

The 2023-2033 strategy seeks to double the contribution of the sports sector to Dubai’s GDP, and also supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), approved the plan during a meeting of the Council.

He issued directives to increase the number of sports events held annually in Dubai to 500, and gradually, this will go up to 1,000 events annually.

Sheikh Mansoor said that 2023 will see the launch of several initiatives that will reinforce Dubai’s status as a key destination for global sporting events, tournaments, and training camps.

"The key objectives of the strategy include raising the contribution of the sports sector to Dubai’s GDP from 2% to 4% annually, and increasing the percentage of sporting events hosted in partnership with the private sector to 90%," he added.

Sheikh Mansoor issued directives to develop incentives for promoting sports in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

An award will also be launched for recognising schools that have implemented measures to enhance the health and wellbeing of students through sports.

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.

.@sheikhmansoor approves a 10-year strategy to develop Dubai’s sports sector and support the objectives of the #Dubai Economic Agenda (D33)https://t.co/wnwgtNPZAe pic.twitter.com/xSJh1mKFfV

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 1, 2023