Qatar: QF, EAA, and IOC Unite for Global Sports Collaboration to Empoawer Societies

Qatar Foundation, Education Above All, and IOC Announce Pioneering International Collaboration to Strengthen Societies Through Sports

Paris – In a momentous announcement made during the Team Qatar Reception in the French capital, the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), Education Above All (EAA), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled a groundbreaking international collaboration aimed at harnessing the transformative power of sports to drive community development, promote equality, and enhance inclusion. This ambitious initiative, integral to the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy, seeks to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by making a significant impact across the Asia, Middle East, and North Africa (AMENA) region.

Project Overview

The collaborative effort represents a major strategic initiative to use sports as a catalyst for positive societal change. The project will be concentrated on empowering women and girls, supporting individuals with disabilities, and assisting marginalized communities. It will span over ten countries, including Qatar, Sudan, and India, focusing on developing localized sports solutions that address the specific needs, challenges, and objectives of each country involved.

Objectives and Impact

The project’s overarching goal is to engage up to 50,000 children and youth through community sports programs. This includes implementing tailored sports campaigns, developing policies, and forging partnerships that promote gender equality and inclusivity. The initiative will also involve training up to 5,000 coaches, teachers, and instructors to effectively advocate for equality and inclusion through sports. Additionally, the project will deploy educational digital interventions designed to reach hundreds of thousands more young people around the world.

Key Immediate Objectives:

• Increase Accessible Opportunities: Enhance gender-inclusive, safe, and sustainable sporting opportunities for all participants.
• Unlock New Pathways: Create new funding and programming avenues that focus on equality, inclusion, and educational development through sports.
• Raise Awareness: Highlight sports as a powerful tool for individual and societal development.
• Secure Commitment: Engage governments and key stakeholders to commit to using sports to advance goals related to equality, inclusion, and education.

Statements from Key Figures

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, emphasized the organization’s dedication to using sports for social good: “At Qatar Foundation, we have always understood that sports serve as a unique tool to enhance lives and provide personal fulfillment. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, irrespective of gender, ability, socio-economic status, or religious background, has equal opportunities to explore and express their potential.”

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, underlined the initiative’s potential to effect positive change: “This collaboration will empower thousands of young people and act as a catalyst for promoting inclusion and gender equality through sports. We aim to demonstrate how innovative partnerships can make substantial strides in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while creating a lasting impact on young lives and fostering a more inclusive and equitable world.”

Fahad Al-Sulaiti, CEO of Education Above All Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with Qatar Foundation and the IOC on this project, which will engage up to 50,000 children and youth in sports-for-good projects and digital education initiatives across ten countries and regions. We believe, much like in education, that sports have the power to unite people, regardless of their socio-economic background or geographical location, towards a more inclusive and equitable world.”

Implementation and Phases

The project will be executed in three phases over a period from 2024 to 2027. It will integrate sport into existing educational programs, fund initiatives that advance accessibility and inclusion, and encourage systemic behavioral changes. The project will also support the development of policies through the creation of knowledge and evidence.

Regional Delivery and Budget: Education Above All Foundation will oversee the regional implementation of the project, with a budget allocation of $3 million. This will involve leveraging its expertise in promoting equity and inclusion. The IOC will provide support through its global network to scale and advocate for sports-for-development initiatives. Qatar Foundation will lead the project’s efforts within Qatar, expanding inclusive sporting opportunities for women and girls.

Long-Term Goals

The long-term objectives of the collaboration include improving the personal situations of those who participate in the project, shifting societal attitudes towards inclusion and equality, and creating sustainable impacts such as new policies and funding avenues in targeted regions. The project aims to make a significant contribution to utilizing sports as a vehicle for social change and advancing global development goals.

This extensive collaboration between the QF, EAA, and IOC represents a monumental step towards leveraging sports to drive societal progress and inclusivity. By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of these organizations, the initiative is poised to make a profound impact across the AMENA region and beyond, demonstrating the power of sports to foster development and unity on a global scale.