Kuwait City: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, led the UAE delegation participating in the 37th meeting of the Presidents of the Olympic Committees of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries hosted by Kuwait. The UAE delegation included Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, and Chairman of The Executive Office; Dr Matar Hamed Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to Kuwait; Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee; and Noura Hassan Al Jasmi, Board Member of the Committee.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting approved the UAE's proposal to host the inaugural Sports Law and Management Conference in 2026. The conference is based on themes developed by the National Olympic Committee, focusing on legislative amendments, sports governance, management in the digital age, and balancing integrity with regulatory independence. The event will also address dispute resolution, financing, and transparency in Olympic sports.
It was agreed to encourage active participation by GCC member states in the conference through research papers and case studies. Discussions highlighted the importance of partnerships with private sector entities and government institutions to deliver a globally recognised conference. Advanced technologies like interactive applications and digital platforms will be employed to broaden engagement.
The meeting endorsed coordination between the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the UAE, as the Presiding Country for the forthcoming term, to determine the date and venue for the 38th meeting of GCC Olympic Committees. The Executive Office will conduct a preparatory session prior to the meeting.
The Executive Office and relevant committees were tasked with reviewing the final report of the 3rd GCC Beach Games hosted by Oman. The report will be assessed for technical and organisational aspects, with actions to follow. The meeting also approved Qatar as host of the 4th GCC Sports Games in 2026, with a focus on technical and logistical support and enhancing women's participation.
The request by the Kuwait Olympic Committee to host the 2nd GCC Youth Games in 2028 was approved, emphasizing adherence to age-related technical regulations. The meeting underscored the importance of educational and cultural programmes alongside the Games to reinforce sportsmanship and Olympic values among youth, with support for female participation.
The Planning, Coordination and Follow-up Committee was authorised to prepare for upcoming GCC multi-sport events from 2029 to 2032, aligning with international and regional sports calendars. Attendees also discussed ways to maximise the Unified Digital Platform for Gulf Women's Sports, with support from GCC member states to ensure its success.
The meeting approved the organisation of the Gulf Women's Sports Hackathon as an annual initiative under the Advisory Committee for Women's Sports. The hackathon aims to foster innovation and encourage participation by multidisciplinary teams from member states, offering training and engagement opportunities. Awards will be given to winning entries, with viable solutions supported for implementation.
H.H. Sheikh Mansoor later attended a cultural and folklore event at the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre.