Doha, December 25 (QNA) - Katara hosted a forum on the cultural dimension of sports, tourism and media. The forum was organized in cooperation with the Arab Federation for Sports Tourism and the Gulf Association for Tourism Media.

The forum included a panel discussion with the participation of a number of officials, experts, and media professionals from Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Sultanate of Oman. The discussion addressed ways to promote a sustainable Arab approach that strengthens the link between sports, tourism, the economy, and media, through key themes including hospitality and cultural identity, training and capacity building, and sports and tourism media.

A number of figures and participants in the forum were also honored.

In the opening address of the General Cultural Village Foundation, delivered by Director of the Research and Studies Department at Katara Dr. Nadia Al Mudhahka. She said that the convening of the forum affirms Katara’s vision, which is based on the belief that culture is not an isolated sector, but rather a vibrant spirit that brings together sports, media, and tourism, and contributes to shaping identity and building the mental image of nations.

She affirmed that the Qatari experience has presented a pioneering model in this field, where sports have been employed as a bridge for civilizational communication and Arab culture has been highlighted as a source of strength and influence.

In his speech, HE Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of Retaj Hotels and Hospitality Group Sheikh Nayef bin Eid Al-Thani noted that the forum reflects the depth of vision and the partnerships of the current phase at a highly significant time, as sports, tourism, and media have become tools for building countries’ global image and strengthening their cultural identity and presence at the regional and international levels. He emphasized that the State of Qatar has realized that investing in sports, culture, and media is an investment in people, identity, and soft power, and has therefore worked to develop an integrated system that combines professional organization, cultural openness, and pride in Arab identity.

For her part, Fatma Al Nuaimi, who serves as Executive Director of Communications and Media at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, stated in a similar address that the forum is being held at an important moment in which the Arab region is witnessing a genuine transformation in the sports industry. She noted that sports are emerging as an integrated system that brings together economic development, cultural depth, human impact, and the strengthening of ties among Arab peoples. She affirmed the global nature of the Qatari model and the State’s approach to transforming sporting events into tools for sustainable development, and football tournaments into a global model for development, tourism attraction, and bridge-building among different peoples and cultures.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Executive Office of the Forum of Specialized Arab Federations at the League of Arab States Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Jarwan highlighted the State of Qatar’s pioneering and continuous support for Arab and international sports, reflecting its enlightened vision of the role of sports in bringing peoples closer together, promoting development, and strengthening positive Arab presence on the international stage.

He pointed out that the State of Qatar has presented an advanced Arab and international model by employing sports as a bridge for communication and an effective tool to support tourism and stimulate the economy. The Qatari experience, he said, embodies an inspiring model that combines organization, professionalism, advanced infrastructure, and a smart global vision, making sports a unifying civilizational platform.

In turn, President of the Arab Federation for Sports Tourism Kamel Abu Ali praised the global professional standards demonstrated by Qatar in organizing major sporting events, affirming the Federation’s commitment to supporting high-quality initiatives that enhance Arab identity and belonging.

Secretary-General of the Arab Federation for Sports Tourism Dr. Sultan bin Khamis Al Yahyai also commended in his speech on the pioneering Qatari experience in organizing major events and its notable successes over the years, achieved through a clear vision, advanced infrastructure, and strong organizational expertise, which have made Qatar a global model.

Dr. Al Yahyai added that Qatar’s hosting of the forum reflects an informed Arab awareness of the importance of sports tourism as one of the modern pathways of development and as a bridge linking culture, sports, and tourism within an integrated institutional framework. (QNA)