With the collaboration of Johan Cruyff Institute as academic partner, the Sport Industry Forum 2022 will discuss solutions to the challenges facing the sports industry in Middle Eastern countries
On November 15-16, the WB Abu Dhabi by Hilton will host the Sport Industry Forum 2022 to identify the challenges and opportunities for the sports industry in the Middle East region. The event, officially supported by the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, is supported by Johan Cruyff Institute as academic partner.
A total of 150 senior managers working in the sports business from across the GCC countries, representing governments, brands, federations, clubs, rights holders, event organizers and sports venues, will gather to discuss four main themes:
- Sustainable growth of sports organizations, including a special interactive session with Richard Scudamore, former Executive Chairman and CEO of The Premier League
- Which new opportunities exist in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia?
- The government’s effort to get Abu Dhabi’s citizens and residents active.
- How to drive key brand narratives through sport sponsorship.
Sally Corander, founder of Interact, the organizer of the Sport Industry Forum, said: “This is the sixth edition of the forum and we are delighted to finally be back after a 2-year break due to Covid-19. We are all looking forward to not only hearing from an array of expert speakers, but being able to network with one another in person as restrictions in the UAE are lifted. We are delighted to form this partnership with Johan Cruyff Institute to further enhance the sports business landscape through professional training and academic courses.”
“We are delighted to form this partnership with Johan Cruyff Institute to further enhance the sports business landscape through professional training and academic courses” – Sally Corander, founder of Interact
The trend of countries in the Middle East region, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to attract the organization of major international sporting events is increasing in recent years. The FIFA World Cup in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Spanish Super Cup in Riyadh and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia); Formula 1 in Sakhir (Bahrain), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Abu Dhabi (UAE); MotoGP in Losail (Qatar); the new LIV Golf tour; new padel tennis circuit promoted by QSI; the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia; the 2019 World Athletics and 2024 World Swimming Championships in Doha; the tennis tournaments in Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi; and the first NBA preseason game played in October in Abu Dhabi are all notable examples.
The Sport Industry Forum will feature many of the main players involved in this transformation model and the forum benefits from the support of Johan Cruyff Institute as academic partner, in its mission to professionalize the sports industry through academic training. As part of the newly formed partnership, the institution offers all those attending the event a 10% discount on its entire range of online programs, valid until March 6, 2023.
