During the eighth session of the "Green Tent" programme, part of the "Every Spring a Flower" initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF), the topic of "Sports Investment in Qatar and Strengthening Solidarity" was discussed. The session, held remotely via Zoom recently, included several specialists and those interested in sports and media affairs. It addressed several important themes focusing on Qatar's experience as a pioneering model in sports investment, the role of sports in supporting economic development and strengthening Arab ties, and the importance of strategic planning and sustainability in developing sports investments.
The session also highlighted the growing role of sports tourism as an economic driver, helping diversify income sources. Furthermore, it discussed how sports can be used to foster closer ties among Arab peoples and solidify the concepts of solidarity and regional cooperation, in light of the rapid transformations taking place in the global sports sector.
The session concluded with a discussion of the importance of sports in promoting solidarity and regional cooperation in Qatar. In this context, Dr Saif al-Hajri emphasised that Qatar's experience in sports investment represents a prominent Arab model worthy of study, given the country's remarkable achievements in organising major tournaments and building advanced sports infrastructure according to the highest international standards.
He pointed out that this experience has not been limited to hosting sporting events alone, but has also included adopting sustainability concepts and post-tournament planning, ensuring a long-term sporting and developmental legacy.
Dr Al-Hajri noted that the session aims to discuss ways to leverage sports investment to support sustainable development goals and strengthen Arab ties, and to present a model that can be utilised regionally to develop the sports sector. It also aims to produce a set of practical recommendations that maximise the developmental return from sports investment, establish the concept of a sustainable legacy for tournaments, and support specialised sports media as a key partner in disseminating sports culture and raising public awareness.
Media figure Saad al-Rumaihi affirmed that Qatar was one of the founding countries of the Arabian Gulf Cup, which was launched in 1970, and Doha hosted the third edition of the tournament in 1976, in an important milestone that contributed to strengthening its organisational presence in the region and consolidating its position on the map of sporting events.
