(MENAFN- The Peninsula) victor bolorunduro |
The Peninsula
Doha: Qatar's hosting of the Middle East and North Africa's (MENA) first-ever World Association for Sport Management (WASM) Conference has further enhanced the country's well-known reputation as a global hub for sport, and the outcomes of the conference will have a remarkable impact on sport management in the country, said Dr. Kamilla Swart-Arries, the Program Director of the Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and Co-Chair of the conference.
The fourth World Association for Sport Management (WASM) Conference, which is being held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), began on Sunday and concludes March 8 at the Qatar University College of Education campus.
“Qatar is known for many regional firsts in sport, and this conference, which brings together globally renowned sport management experts, academics, and professionals from all over the world to discuss and debate advancing sport management globally in a collaborative way, as well as looking at new networks, new partnerships, and how we can really build a responsible and sustainable sport industry, will further boost capacity building,” Dr. Swart-Arries told The Peninsula.
She added that the conference could not have come at a better time, as it has given the organizers an ideal opportunity to build on the successes of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, not only by bringing sport tourists or football tourists into Qatar, but also in terms of business tourism.
Dr. Swart-Arries noted that among the key takeaways from the conference, which featured as many as 48 presentations per day with eight parallel sessions, was the in-depth analysis on ways to advance sport management in the region, as well as how the region's experiences in sport can be utilised to further enhance sport management curriculum and how academics can work together in terms of strengthening sport management in the region.
Dr Swart-Arries noted that the organisers have dedicated the penultimate day of the conference to celebrating women and women's achievement in sport ahead of International Women's Day, which falls on March 8, while the future of global sport will be the main highlight of the conference on the closing day.
Held under the theme“Bringing the World Together: Global and Local Perspectives on Sport Management,” the conference featured several distinguished speakers, including Nasser Al Khater, CEO, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022; Dr. Mezna Al Marzooqi, Director General, Leaders Development Institute, Ministry of Sport, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and Dr. Holger Preuss, Professor of Sport Economics and Sport Sociology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz.
The conference focuses on the practices, issues, networking, collaborations, management, and marketing of global sport business and offers a platform for the international exchange of ideas, best practices, and scientific inquiries. It attracts experts and professionals from around the world to share expertise and present research on contemporary topics within the global sport business industry, ranging from sport marketing, events, and tourism to governance and social responsibility and other sectors.