The Gulf Studies Center (GSC) at CAS hosted on December 11-12 the symposium on “Sport for Development in the Gulf: International and Regional Perspectives”, which is organized in conjunction with CAS Sport Science Program.
This 2-day event aimed to foster dialogue among the participants and generate a set of recommendations that address key issues related to sports and development in the Gulf region. It brought together renowned scholars, experts and practitioners from Saudi Arabia, The Kingdom of Norway, UAE, and UK, as well as representatives from the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Aspire Zone Foundation, and Josoor Institute. They discussed the opportunities and challenges of sport for development in the region.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by CAS Dean Dr Rashid Al-Kuwari, CAS associate deans for Research and Graduate Studies Prof Hala Sultan Al-Essa and for Academic Affairs Dr Hassan Abdel Aziz, GSC Director Dr Abdullah Baabood, and Sport Science Program Director Dr Ruben Goebel, as well as CAS faculty and students.
The program’s agenda featured numerous sessions on “Sport and Social Inclusion and Community Cohesion”, “Sport and Integration”, “Sport and Human Development Agenda”, “Sport and Sustainability”, and “Sport and Corporate Social Responsibility”.
It also included presentations delivered by GSC Social Issues Coordinator Dr Amani El Jack, CAS Associate Professor at Sport Science program Walid Briki, ICSS Save the Dream Program Executive Director Mr Massimilliano Montanari, and QOC Sport Marketing and Communication Expert Mr Maher Safi. They presented on “Sport for Development in the Gulf: A Gender Sensitive Perspective”, “Schools Olympics Program and Youth Sports, How Engagement in Sport Influences Psychological Wellbeing?”, “Save the Dream-Empowering Young People through Projects around the World”, and “Schools Olympics Program and Youth Sports”.
In his remarks, Dr Rashid Al-Kuwari said: “This symposium, which is the first of its kind, is a significant opportunity to generate new knowledge on sports for development and to fill the gap in the sport field. This will contribute to uplifting the programs provided by GSC and the Sport Science Program, and to advancing QU’s multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research portfolio. The symposium also provides a platform for distinguished scholars, policy makers and experts and contributes to strengthening links between sport scholars and practitioners and to fulfilling the development pillars stated in QU Research Strategic Plan and Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Dr Abdullah Baabood said: “This symposium is part of the numerous activities organized by the Gulf Studies Centre to widen, enhance and produce knowledge.”