His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, led the UAE delegation at the 37th meeting of the Presidents of the Olympic Committees of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Kuwait. The meeting resulted in significant decisions, including the UAE’s proposal to host the inaugural Sports Law and Management Conference in 2026.

The UAE delegation included prominent figures such as His Excellency Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, who also serves as Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, and His Excellency Dr Matar Hamed Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to Kuwait. Other attendees were His Excellency Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee, and Her Excellency Noura Hassan Al Jasmi, a Board Member of the Committee.

The conference will focus on several important themes, including the impact of legislative amendments on sports governance, legal challenges in the digital age, and the future of sports legislation. Additionally, it will address dispute resolution in Olympic sports and the importance of financing and transparency within the Olympic framework. To encourage participation, the meeting emphasized the submission of research papers and case studies from GCC member states, highlighting distinguished legal and administrative practices within the region.

Furthermore, the meeting underscored the need for funding strategies and partnerships with private sector entities and government institutions to ensure the conference meets global standards. The use of advanced technologies, such as interactive applications and live streaming, was also endorsed to enhance engagement and broaden the conference’s impact.

In addition, the meeting approved coordination between the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the UAE to finalize the date and venue for the 38th meeting of the GCC National Olympic Committee Presidents. This upcoming meeting will be preceded by a preparatory session of The Executive Office.

As part of the proceedings, The Executive Office was tasked with reviewing the final report of the 3rd GCC Beach Games hosted by Oman, focusing on its technical and organizational aspects.

The meeting also designated Qatar as the host for the 4th GCC Sports Games in 2026, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support from the Gulf Olympic Committees. It highlighted the importance of enhancing women’s participation in sports competitions across the GCC, reinforcing the commitment to inclusivity and equality.

Additionally, the Kuwait Olympic Committee’s request to host the 2nd GCC Youth Games in 2028 was approved, with a focus on maintaining strict adherence to age-related regulations to ensure fairness among competitors. The meeting also stressed the incorporation of educational and cultural programs alongside the Games to promote Olympic values among youth.

The Planning, Coordination, and Follow-up Committee was authorized to continue preparations for the schedule of GCC multi-sport events from 2029 to 2032, ensuring alignment with international sports calendars.

Attendees also discussed maximizing the impact of the Unified Digital Platform for Gulf Women’s Sports, approving full support from the Olympic Committees of GCC member states. This platform aims to promote sports tourism and enhance visibility for female athletes across the region.

Additionally, the organization of the Gulf Women’s Sports Hackathon was approved as an annual initiative to encourage innovation in women’s sports. Multidisciplinary teams will receive support and training opportunities, with awards for winning entries and viable solutions promoted for implementation at the GCC level. The results of the hackathon will be documented to enhance long-term impact.

After the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor attended a cultural and folklore event at the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre.