Latest news with #MinistryOfSports
Argaam
3 days ago
- Business
- Argaam
Saudi Arabia seeks to privatize stadiums: Official
Basim Ibrahim, Sport Sector Investment Development Director, the Ministry of Investment, said there are distinctive investment opportunities managed by the Ministry of Sports in the Kingdom. This includes offering sports stadiums to the private sector for management and commercial operation. Thus, the stadiums would turn entirely into a commercial project, not only intended for hosting sports matches. In an interview with Asharq, Ibrahim confirmed that the Ministries of Sports and Investment are working on privatizing sports clubs. He added that eight clubs were already privatized in the first phase, and 14 others will be offered for privatization in the second phase. The remaining clubs will also be privatized in other phases. There is still a focus on specialized sectors in the investment field, including sports medicine, sports manufacturing, and sports technology, Ibrahim said. He added that investors are being assured that this is the ideal time to enter the Saudi market and seize other opportunities such as attracting sports academies, gyms, and sports tourism.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia seeks private sector investment in sports facilities
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Sports has launched an investment project for sports facilities through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The ministry is seeking bids from private companies to invest in the operation, management and maintenance of sports facilities, it said in a post on social messaging platform X. The participation is currently open for King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City in Jeddah, and King Abdulaziz Sports City in Makkah. The move seeks to raise operational efficiency, improve fan experience, and activate private sector investment in the sports facilities segment. (Reporting by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Arabian Business
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Arabian Business
UAE Ministry of Sports launches AI platform ‘Sportifai' for national sports governance
The UAE Ministry of Sports has launched Sportifai, an artificial intelligence-powered digital platform designed to serve as the technological foundation of the country's sports transformation strategy, in alignment with the National Sports Strategy 2031. The platform was unveiled during the 'Driving Digital Transformation in the UAE Sports Sector' workshop, held in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Sports, presidents of Sports Federations, and technical and administrative staff. It aims to enhance governance, support athlete development, and enable seamless collaboration among National Sports Councils, Federations, and Clubs. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, said: 'The 'Sportifai' platform paves the way for a transformative shift in the UAE's sports landscape by strengthening smart governance, enhancing performance, and fostering collaboration among National Sports Councils, Federations, and Clubs to boost the competitiveness of national sports.' Al Falasi added, 'Sportifai simplifies access to services for sports Federations in line with the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, further supporting performance improvement and smart governance.' Sportifai offers an integrated digital ecosystem powered by AI and advanced technologies, facilitating talent identification, performance analysis, and data governance. The platform also supports elite and emerging athlete development through centralised digital infrastructure. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, said: 'Sportifai is designed as a technological partner for use across all Federations and Sports clubs, through developing an integrated digital infrastructure including advanced systems for athlete data management, modern talent identification solutions, and performance analysis tools.' Al Hajeri affirmed that the next phase will empower sports professionals with digital analytics and data governance capabilities while supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in sports technology. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness, said: 'The launch of Sportifai marks the beginning of a comprehensive development journey for our national sports community built on the latest technologies using the most advanced available digital tools for performance analysis, readiness assessment, and support for decision-making within sports Federations.' 'It stands as one of the most important mechanisms to empower these Federations by alleviating administrative burdens and providing accurate, analysable data. This allows officials and specialists within the Federations to focus on technical and competitive aspects, contributing to improved athletic performance of teams and players, and enhancing the mechanisms for talent identification and sustainability within the sports sector,' he added. The workshop featured two sessions: one for Federation presidents introducing Sportifai's objectives and ecosystem role, and another for technical and administrative staff highlighting priority initiatives, including the Talent Identification Platform. This initiative will use unified digital records to track athlete development from early stages to elite and Olympic levels, creating a robust national database. Sportifai was first introduced in March 2025 through a cooperation agreement between the Ministry and the UAE National Olympic Committee, witnessed by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi. Strategic partners include:
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ministry of Sports launches ‘Sportifai' platform
In the presence of Ministry of Sports officials, heads of Sports Federations, and technical and administrative staff H.E. Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi: 'The 'Sportifai' platform paves the way for a transformative shift in the UAE's sports landscape by strengthening smart governance, enhancing performance, and fostering collaboration among National Sports Councils, Federations, and Clubs to boost the competitiveness of national sports.' The Ministry of Sports hosted leaders from UAE Sports Federations at the 'Driving Digital Transformation in the UAE Sports Sector' workshop to introduce them on using the new Sportifai platform. Sportifai offers an integrated suite of digital services powered by AI and advanced technologies, enabling various stakeholders in the sports ecosystem to collaborate under a unified talent development vision. The workshop emphasized the importance of strategic collaborations with national and private sports institutions to enhance governance and support elite and emerging athlete development. UAE - The UAE Ministry of Sports today introduced Sportifai digital platform that will provide the foundation of a fully integrated and interconnected system for enhancing sports Governance and identifying, supporting and developing athletes across the country and accelerating efforts to realize the goals of National Sports Strategy 2031. The launch was marked by a workshop for leaders of national Sports Federations titled 'Driving Digital Transformation in the UAE Sports Sector', aimed at equipping Federation leaders and technical staff with the knowledge to effectively use Sportifai to benefit athletes and align with national goals. During the workshop, H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness, unveiled the platform's brand identity and its official name: ' Sportifai '. Sportifai aims to bring about a qualitative leap in the development of the national sports sector by establishing a specialized entity chaired by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports. This entity will lead the digital transformation journey by adopting artificial intelligence applications to support athletes, sports federations, and clubs. H.E. Dr. Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, emphasized that Sportifai represents a major leap forward for the UAE sports sector. It provides a comprehensive digital ecosystem to enhance operational efficiency and foster innovation. By harnessing AI and data analytics, the platform enables early identification and development of athletes. H.E. added: 'Sportifai simplifies access to services for sports Federations in line with the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, further supporting performance improvement and smart governance.' H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi emphasized that Sportifai enables seamless integration across national sports organizations, providing real-time access to accurate data that supports evidence-based decision-making. He highlighted the platform's role as a foundational element of the broader digital transformation of the UAE's sports sector, in alignment with the National Sports Strategy 2031. H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, said: ' Sportifai is designed as a technological partner for use across all Federations and Sports clubs, through developing an integrated digital infrastructure including advanced systems for athlete data management, modern talent identification solutions, and performance analysis tools. H.E. affirmed that the next phase will empower sports professionals with digital analytics and data governance capabilities and support entrepreneurship and innovation through the development of startups in sports technology. Also, H.E. urged federations to leverage this innovative ecosystem and collaborate to enhance the transformation, aligning with national goals. H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum extended his appreciation to the Federation leaders for their active engagement in the workshop. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among sports entities to ensure the successful implementation of the digital transformation strategy. H.E. Sheikh Suhail said, 'The launch of Sportifai marks the beginning of a comprehensive development journey for our national sports community built on the latest technologies using the most advanced available digital tools for performance analysis, readiness assessment, and support for decision-making within sports Federations.' 'It stands as one of the most important mechanisms to empower these Federations by alleviating administrative burdens and providing accurate, analyzable data. This allows officials and specialists within the Federations to focus on technical and competitive aspects, contributing to improved athletic performance of teams and players, and enhancing the mechanisms for talent identification and sustainability within the sports sector,' H.E. added. The workshop was divided into two sessions. The first session, dedicated to the presidents of Sports Federations, featured a detailed presentation by the Ministry on the Sportifai platform. The session underscored the importance of involving Federations in achieving digital transformation as a critical component of developing the national sports ecosystem. It outlined the platform's objectives and its role in providing sports entities with effective and comprehensive capabilities, while positioning the platform as a center of excellence for unifying efforts and driving innovation across disciplines. The second session, attended by technical and administrative staff from the Sports Federations, focused on priority projects within the Ministry's digital transformation strategy, foremost among them, the 'Talent Identification Platform'. This platform is designed to track athletes' development from early stages through to professional and Olympic levels using a unified digital record. This approach enhances the creation of a reliable national database and supports talent development through strengthened partnerships between government institutions and Federations. The Ministry also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the technical departments of Federations and the platform to activate these initiatives and ensure their long-term success. The Digital Transformation and Sports Innovation Platform was first introduced in March 2025 through a cooperation agreement between the Ministry and the UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC), witnessed by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE NOC and H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi. The platform will operate through strategic partnerships with key sports entities to support the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031. These partnerships include: The National Olympic Committee, to ensure alignment with Olympic standards. The UAE Committee for Elite Sports, to enhance the development of competitive sports and improve athlete performance. The UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support, to establish pathways for identifying and nurturing athletic talent. Additionally, the platform will be supported by various Ministry of Sports committees, Federations, clubs, and academies at both the grassroots and professional levels. Private sector institutions and technology companies will also play a vital role by contributing innovative digital solutions and advancing sports data analytics.
Times of Oman
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Taliban bans chess in Afghanistan over religious concerns
Kabul: The Taliban has banned chess in Afghanistan due to religious concerns, continuing its opposition to various forms of entertainment and sports, Khaama Press reported. As per reports, the decision was taken due to "religious considerations" and restrictions announced by the Taliban's Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The decision places chess-related activities on hold indefinitely in Afghanistan. Officials from the Taliban-led Ministry of Sports confirmed the suspension of chess activities on May 11, stating that the sport will remain banned in the nation until suitable responses are found regarding religious concerns. As per reports, no activities related to chess would be allowed to resume without addressing these issues. Taliban's Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has also dissolved the Afghanistan Chess Federation, terming the game "haram" (forbidden) as per the interpretation of the Islamic law, Khaama Press reported. The decision follows a growing trend of restrictions imposed by the Taliban on cultural, social and sporting events in Afghanistan since it seized power. Before the Taliban's announcement regarding the ban, several chess players and enthusiasts reportedly requested permission and financial support from the Taliban-led Ministry of Sports to continue their activities. However, the Taliban announced the ban, further complicating their efforts to play the game. Chess, once considered an intellectual sport in Afghanistan, has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, with the national federation operating under the Taliban-led Ministry of Sports, Khaama Press reported. The Taliban's recent stance, citing Islamic legal interpretations, demonstrated their broader strategy to restrict cultural and recreational activities in Afghanistan. The ban on playing chess demonstrates the Taliban's increasing restrictions on freedoms in Afghanistan. The Taliban has also imposed several restrictions on women in Afghanistan. It remains to be seen how long these policies will last or whether the international community will be able to pressurise the Taliban to reverse their decisions. Earlier in February, the Taliban announced that students from March 22 will have to wear the new Taliban-issued uniform. The decision was published on February 27. According to the notice, students in classes 1st to 9th must wear a blue shirt, pants, and a white hat. Students in classes 10th to 12th must wear a white shirt, pants and a headscarf or turban, Khaama Press reported. Previously, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada signed a nine-point decree stating that all public and private school uniforms would include a shirt, pants, turban, and white hat. The bill did not include the details regarding uniforms for female teachers or students. The colour of the uniform for female students is black. Since seizing power in Afghanistan, the Taliban has banned girls from pursuing studies in schools above sixth class and closed the doors of universities and medical educational centres to them.
