Doha GOALS Forum opens this weekend in Los Angeles

DohaThe fourth annual Doha GOALS Forum, the world's leading platform for social and economic progress through sport, opens this weekend in Los Angeles, CA - the first time the event has been held outside Qatar. More than 100 speakers, including world-class athletes, policy makers, global CEOs and leading NGOs, will join 280 students from 23 top sport management programmes in the United States and Canada to create a roadmap for social improvement through sports and launch cross-border initiatives.Sheikh Faisal bin Mubarak al-Thani, Executive Director of Doha GOALS, said: "Doha GOALS is more than just a gathering of inspiring individuals; it is a platform highlighting the huge impact sport can have on the lives of less privileged, and those suffering hardship in their lives."Since its launch in 2012, Doha GOALS Forum has convened more than 5,000 participants from 124 countries to discuss how sport can be used to solve some of the world's greatest social and economic challenges.World-class champions confirmed to speak at Doha GOALS include Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz, Travis Pastrana, Nadia Comaneci, Carl Lewis and Meryl Davis. They will be joined by some of the most prominent business leaders, ministers, and NGOs including: Maria Shriver - Broadcast Journalist; International Board Member, Special Olympics; Michael Combes - CEO, Alcatel-Lucent; Linda Cohn - National sports broadcast journalist; Dallas Oberholzer - Founder & Director, Indigo Youth Movement; Casey Wasserman - Chairman and CEO, Wasserman Media Group; Tokyo Sexwale - President, Global Watch; Manjit Singh - President, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; Lisa Delpy Nierotti - Professor, Director of Sport Management, GeorgeWashington University.This year's three-day summit will feature a series of panel discussions, key notes, and insightful one-on-one conversations with sporting superstars. Among the relevant and thought-provoking topics to be discussed are: The Changing Business of Sports, discussing the new business models in the sports industry; The Power of Diversity in Sports, highlighting the major responsibility of sports to create a more inclusive and diverse society; Equal Opportunity in Sports, stressing the importance of equal sporting opportunities for girls and boys.The complete programme including participants, moderators and keynote speakers can be viewed at : http://www.dohagoals.com/en/agenda/homeFor the fourth consecutive year, Doha GOALS Forum will showcase its commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow through its renowned Student Ambassador Program. Through an unprecedented partnership with Special Olympics, Doha GOALS Forum will promote creating a global community of inclusion. Throughout the event, students from both the Student Ambassador Program and Special Olympics' social impact summit, GenUin, will actively participate in taskforces."The Student Ambassador Program provides students with a strong learning experience and a great networking opportunity to share their ideas and change and shape society through sports. Many of our Student Ambassadors have created initiatives in their communities to extend the reach of the Doha GOALS mission into the next generation," explained Executive Producer, Richard Attias. "We have established a community of thousands of people and organisations to work together and form new partnerships. We look forward to continuing this momentum through the fourth annual Doha GOALS Forum."Among the 23 participating universities this year are UCLA, University of Texas, University of Michigan, and Georgetown University. In addition, Ohio University and University of Central Florida, ranked as the top two graduate sport management programs in the world by SportsBusiness International, will play a role. These students will have the opportunity to speak to sporting champions first-hand, to learn about the importance of mobilising young people for social good, and building partnerships.A live stream of Doha GOALS Forum will be available beginning Sunday, July 26 at 9 am PST at www.dohagoals.com. Additionally, the event can be followed on Twitter @DohaGOALS, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DohaGoals, or Instagram at Doha_Goals, or YouTube at Doha Goals.