Doha, July 08 (QNA) - Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education has introduced a new sports scholarship pathway under the government's scholarship program, aimed at enabling talented athletes to pursue university education while continuing their sporting careers.

The ministry, represented by its Higher Education Affairs Sector, held an orientation session for gifted students interested in joining the new sports track, attended by students, parents and representatives of relevant organizations. The initiative was organized in coordination with the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said the program forms part of its efforts to identify and support national sporting talent while enabling student athletes to combine higher education with continued athletic development.

It said the initiative seeks to produce graduates who are both academically and athletically qualified, capable of representing Qatar in international sport while contributing to the country's broader national development goals.

During the session, officials outlined the objectives of the sports track, which bases government scholarships on demonstrated sporting talent and allows eligible students to enroll in a range of academic disciplines at higher education institutions in Qatar within a learning environment designed to support both academic study and continued athletic participation.

The ministry also explained the eligibility requirements for the program. Applicants must be nominated by the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Qatar Olympic Committee, satisfy the general criteria for the Government Scholarship Program, obtain an unconditional admission offer from a university participating in the domestic scholarship scheme, and commit to maintaining their professional sporting pathway throughout their university studies.

Officials also outlined the application process and the benefits available through the program.

These include payment of tuition fees for students enrolled at eligible private universities in accordance with approved regulations, coordination with relevant sporting authorities, and access to employment-linked scholarship opportunities under existing government policies and procedures, with the aim of improving graduates' readiness for the labor market.

The ministry announced that applications for the sports track during the second admission period for public universities will be accepted through the Government Scholarship Platform between November 15 and December 30. The session also provided students and parents with detailed guidance on the application process and answered questions about program requirements and benefits.

The ministry said the launch of the sports track reflects its commitment to investing in promising national talent and strengthening integration between the education and sports sectors, helping develop a generation that combines academic achievement with sporting excellence in support of Qatar's long-term development objectives. (QNA)