The sixth annual Sport Industry Forum Dubai, supported by Dubai Sports Council, welcomed more than 100 senior professionals to Jumeirah Golf Estates to discuss how to build a healthier and more active community through sport.

Panel discussions on the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2018 and the AFC Asian Cup gave an excellent insight into community initiatives taking place across Dubai and beyond, while Alison Oliver – CEO of the UK Youth Sport Trust – shared success stories from her charity’s engagement initiatives.

“The Sport Industry Forum continues to grow each year which reflects the growing nature of the UAE sport industry,” Sally Corander, Managing Director of the event’s organisers INTERACT, said.

“It was great to hear so many people put forward their ideas on getting the community active through sport, as well as receive some updates on world leading initiatives like the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2018 and finding out how the industry can get involved.

“As always, we’ve provided a summary of the discussion and key suggestions to Dubai Sports Council and other entities.”

Dubai Sports Council secretary general H.E. Saeed Hareb gave the Sport Industry Forum Dubai’s opening address, while other contributors included H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of KHDA, and H.E. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment at Dubai Tourism.

A panel on the potential legacy of AFC Asian Cup 2019, the UAE’s biggest ever sporting event, brought together Simon Thompson, Vice President Football – Asia at Lagardere Sports & Entertainment, Alexis Djiksterhuis, Vice President at Flash Entertainment and Strategic Advisor to the LOC, and Ali Omar Al Baloushi, Director of Clubs and Sports Development Dept at Dubai Sports Council.

The Sport Industry Forum Dubai concluded with its traditional roundtable discussions as attendees discussed ways to increase community engagement around both the AFC Asian Cup and Dubai Fitness Challenge.