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Mid East Info
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Ministry of Sports launches ‘Sportifai' platform as foundation of new AI-driven national framework to drive digital transformation and enhance sports governance
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. 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. 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,May 2025- 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.


Web Release
15-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Ministry of Sports launches ‘Sportifai' platform as foundation of new AI-driven national framework to drive digital transformation and enhance sports governance
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.


Gulf Today
19-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE Ministry of Sports partners with Precision Football, PlayerMaker to unearth talent
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter The UAE Ministry of Sports is pleased to announce two new strategic partnerships with Precision Football and PlayerMaker to strengthen the country's talent identification ecosystem through the UAE School Games & UAE University Games. Organized by the UAE Sports Federation for the Institutions of School and University Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and other partners, the University Games will conclude on Sunday, while the School Games will wrap up their competitions in next May. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the ministry's long-term vision to create a world-class pipeline for prominent athlete identification across the UAE. Under these partnerships, Precision Football will lead scouting operations for football, while PlayerMaker will oversee talent identification across seven other sports. Each provider will operate independently within their respective domain, bring deep expertise and cutting-edge technology to support data-driven scouting and athlete evaluation. The partnerships will be piloted at the upcoming finals of the UAE University Games and UAE School Games. Experienced scouts will provide qualitative evaluation of the potential talents that will be supported by competition video recording and professional wearables to collect quantitative data for further analysis. To further enhance the level of scouting expertise across the UAE sports, the providers will run bespoke educational and practical workshops before the start of the School Games finals. 'The partnerships are a critical step forward in our mission to professionalize the talent development system in the UAE,' said Sheikh Suhail Al Maktoum, Secretary General of the UAE Sports Federation for the Institutions of School and University Education, Chairperson of the UAE Committee for Talent & National Sports Support. 'By working with leading global scouting providers, we are ensuring that young athletes across the country are seen, assessed, and given a pathway to develop their potential through the national sports system.' By partnering with specialized providers, the Ministry is laying the foundation for a modern, data-led approach to scouting. This initiative will not only improve how talent is identified today but also transform how the next generation of athletes is supported and developed across the nation. 'We are truly honoured and excited to partner with the UAE Ministry of Sports on this landmark initiative,' said Sonny Cobbs, Founder and CEO of Precision Football. 'To be recognised as one of the leading development programs in the region is both humbling and a testament to the hard work and passion we bring to developing young athletes, both Male and Female of all ages. At Precision Football, we are proud to be at the forefront of the industry, and we remain deeply committed to nurturing the future stars of tomorrow. 'Through this collaboration, we look forward to playing a key role in shaping the next generation of talent and ensuring long-term success for many years to come.' Steve Barrett, VP of sports performance at PlayerMaker said "We are delighted to be partnering with the Ministry of Sport and look forward to supporting them in their vision to identify talented youth athletes in the region. Our extended team encompassing Olympic champions, national team coaches, scouts and experts in Talent ID, will allow us to provide expert opinion for the ministry." These partnerships mark the starting point of a broader rollout, with plans to expand scouting efforts across academies and other competitive environments ensuring a comprehensive, ecosystem-wide approach to talent identification in the UAE.


Zawya
17-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The UAE Ministry of Sports joins forces with Precision Football and PlayerMaker
UAE - The UAE Ministry of Sports is pleased to announce two new strategic partnership with Precision Football and PlayerMaker to strengthen the country's talent identification ecosystem through the UAE School Games & UAE University Games, Organized by the UAE Sports Federation for the Institutions of School and University Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and other partners, the University Games will conclude on April 19 and 20, while the School Games will wrap up their competitions in next May. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the Ministry's long-term vision to create a world-class pipeline for prominent athlete identification across the UAE. Under these partnerships, Precision Football will lead scouting operations for football, while PlayerMaker will oversee talent identification across seven other sports. Each provider will operate independently within their respective domain, bring deep expertise and cutting-edge technology to support data-driven scouting and athlete evaluation. The partnerships will be piloted at the upcoming finals of the UAE University Games and UAE School Games. Experienced scouts will provide qualitative evaluation of the potential talents that will be supported by competition video recording and professional wearables to collect quantitative data for further analysis. To further enhance the level of scouting expertise across the UAE sports, the providers will run bespoke educational and practical workshops before the start of the School Games finals. 'The partnerships are a critical step forward in our mission to professionalize the talent development system in the UAE,' said H.E. Sheikh Suhail Al Maktoum, Secretary General of the UAE Sports Federation for the Institutions of School and University Education, Chairperson of the UAE Committee for Talent & National Sports Support. 'By working with leading global scouting providers, we are ensuring that young athletes across the country are seen, assessed, and given a pathway to develop their potential through the national sports system.' By partnering with specialized providers, the Ministry is laying the foundation for a modern, data-led approach to scouting. This initiative will not only improve how talent is identified today but also transform how the next generation of athletes is supported and developed across the nation. 'We are truly honoured and excited to partner with the UAE Ministry of Sports on this landmark initiative,' said Sonny Cobbs, Founder and CEO of Precision Football. 'To be recognised as one of the leading development programs in the region is both humbling and a testament to the hard work and passion we bring to developing young athletes, both Male and Female of all ages. At Precision Football, we are proud to be at the forefront of the industry, and we remain deeply committed to nurturing the future stars of tomorrow. Through this collaboration, we look forward to playing a key role in shaping the next generation of talent and ensuring long-term success for many years to come.' Steve Barrett, VP of sports performance at PlayerMaker said "We are delighted to be partnering with the Ministry of Sport and look forward to supporting them in their vision to identify talented youth athletes in the region. Our extended team encompassing Olympic champions, national team coaches, scouts and experts in Talent ID, will allow us to provide expert opinion for the ministry." These partnerships mark the starting point of a broader rollout, with plans to expand scouting efforts across academies and other competitive environments ensuring a comprehensive, ecosystem-wide approach to talent identification in the UAE. For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:


ARN News Center
11-03-2025
- Business
- ARN News Center
Dubai announces new sports and entertainment Free Zone
The UAE has announced ISEZA, set to be the nation's first dedicated sports and entertainment business cluster within the Free Zone environment. ISEZA will serve as an industry-focused business hub facilitating licensing for distinct sports and entertainment business activities and ecosystem to support and accelerate the industry's growth. ISEZA will serve as a dedicated hub to support the thriving sports and entertainment business sector in the UAE and the wider Middle East. Dubai's sports industry contributes approximately $2.5 billion (AED 9.1 billion) annually to the Emirates' economy. The UAE has also been a pioneer in Economic Zones development, with over 40 Free Zones focusing on various industries. The Zone will provide a unified platform for licensing businesses across established sectors, such as sports management and marketing, event management, talent representation and media and broadcasting, while also supporting growth in emerging areas like e-sports, AI-driven sports tech, fan tokens. The Zone will be home to a diverse range of industry players including global brands, sports leagues and franchises, rights owners and investors, sports and talent agencies, artists, sports and media personalities, social media influencers and creative industries professionals. ISEZA will offer comprehensive corporate and legal support tailored to its members, working closely with key UAE authorities, such as the UAE Ministry of Sports, Dubai Sports Council, UAE National Olympic Community, and others. The Zone will also attract international and regional sports organisations, such as sports federations, associations and leagues, both in established and emerging sports. With its exceptional global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, investor-friendly policies and favourable tax regime, Dubai offers a strong competitive advantage for hosting global sports organisations. Located in One Central, in Dubai's dynamic business district, next to the Dubai Museum of the Future, ISEZA will shape the future of sports & entertainment industry growth in the years to come and will become a new center of gravity for the industry entrepreneurs, professionals, enthusiasts, and talents.