World Sports Summit Opens In Dubai As Mansoor Bin Mohammed Attends Opening

The World Sports Summit has opened in Dubai with more than 1,500 delegates, including athletes, investors and officials, gathering to debate how sport can connect societies and drive future growth. Across two days, sessions are examining technology, finance, talent development and governance, while also exploring how global sports stars move into business, media and wider community roles after competitive careers.

High-profile names from football, basketball, tennis, boxing and mixed martial arts are taking part, alongside senior government representatives and club owners. Discussions focus on the present and future of sport, with particular attention on new investment models, the use of artificial intelligence, and the role of major events in areas such as fashion, urban development and quality of life.

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H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, inaugurated the Summit, which is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The event has been positioned as an annual global meeting point.

Explaining the wider purpose, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed highlighted how the gathering is intended to influence policy and practice across international sport. The agenda includes regulation, funding, performance pathways, talent discovery, artificial intelligence applications and long-term cooperation between institutions, with aims to produce ideas that can support new legislation and more efficient organisational models worldwide.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed said, "Through this global sporting gathering, we aim to maximise the benefit of having these prominent figures and sports leaders in Dubai for two days to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and unite the world through sport, which represents the universal language and passion of all peoples, and to shape the future of sport."

Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, delivered the opening address, stressing that Dubai offers a suitable place for serious dialogue and cross-border partnerships. Belhoul linked the Summit to Dubai’s broader development strategy, which seeks to improve quality of life for diverse communities and to use sport as a platform for innovation, health, inclusion and economic activity across different sectors.

H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed underlined that a central goal is to create a continuous international conversation about both current realities and future prospects of sport. According to H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, sport has a crucial role in building better lives for people worldwide, whether through participation, employment, education or social engagement linked to clubs, academies and global tournaments.

Football held a prominent place in the early programme. FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined a keynote session titled ‘The Next 90 Minutes’, where Infantino described football as a game that brings generations together and provides enjoyment to communities across continents. Infantino reflected on how the sport can remain inclusive while also adapting to rapid advances in technology and media consumption.

World Sports Summit in Dubai explores business, investment and future of sport

Infantino highlighted several priorities for global football bodies and domestic associations. These include continued backing for youth and grassroots talent, steady investment in stadiums and infrastructure, and stronger support for national federations across all regions. Infantino also noted the value of reviewing rules and regulations and using modern technologies to improve fairness, competitiveness and the overall spectator experience.

Day one also examined the link between high-performance sport, health and sustainability. Former world number one Novak Djokovic spoke in a session titled ‘Sustainability in Sport: Exploring New Horizons for Physical Abilities.’ Djokovic discussed early influences that shaped a professional career, emphasised structured training from childhood, and called for more opportunities for emerging athletes to gain international exposure and access to expert guidance.

Keynote contributions extended beyond individual athletes. H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated in a session called ‘Leading from the Front Lines.’ The conversation reviewed leadership approaches in developing national sports systems, the importance of youth programmes, and how regional cooperation can support better pathways for athletes and administrators.

Several discussions focused on personal journeys that combine sporting achievement with business and social impact. Filipino boxing figure Manny Pacquiao described the obstacles faced on the way to international recognition, while Nasser Al Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain, outlined the club’s recent experience across sport, business and culture. Former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch moderated the discussion with Al Khelaifi, examining governance, commercial strategies and fan engagement.

Tennis and basketball were also strongly represented. Tennis players Ons Jabeur of Tunisia and Paula Badosa of Spain joined a panel titled ‘Defying Expectations: A Spectrum of Turning Pressures and Disappointments into Historic Moments,’ moderated by journalist Sarah Stone. Another session brought together former American basketball league players and executives Tamika Tremaleo, Terri Smith, Jessica Berman, Michelle Roberts and Danita Johnson to address women’s leadership in sports and related businesses.

Further on the opening day, Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports, set out the UAE’s long-term vision for sport. Former boxer Oleksandr Usyk featured in a special session, while a closing panel with Brazilian footballer Ronaldo Nazario looked at the shift from playing to entrepreneurship. Ronaldo Nazario detailed experiences as a World Cup winner and club champion and subsequent moves into ownership and investment.

World Sports Summit in Dubai forecasts innovation, investment and future of sport

The second day, beginning on 30 December, is scheduled to start with mixed martial arts. A session with Khabib Nurmagomedov will assess the future of combat sports, considering media rights, athlete welfare and regulation. Former England and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand is moderating, guiding discussion on commercial growth, audience reach and the balance between entertainment and safety.

Football legacies form another theme on the second day. Former Italian star Roberto Baggio, his daughter Valentina Baggio, and Italian 2006 World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero will share insights into careers on and off the pitch. Topics include personal branding, post-retirement roles, and how family perspectives influence decisions about community projects and youth-based initiatives linked to clubs and academies.

American football and global fashion trends intersect in subsequent sessions. Reggie Bush, Baron Davis, Marquez Colston and Swin Cash will debate transitions from playing careers to sports management. Another panel will consider how sports championships and leading athletes influence the global fashion industry, featuring Jamie Wynne, president of Jimmy Choo, American football figure Victor Cruz, and Michael Utley, commercial director of AC Milan.

Basketball structures and investments receive detailed attention through a EuroLeague-focused session. Abdullah Al Naboodah, founder and owner of Dubai Basketball Club, will speak alongside French basketball figure Tony Parker, owner of Lyon, Paulios Motegonas, CEO of the EuroLeague, and Jorge Garbajosa, president of FIBA Europe. Discussion will cover league development, club ownership models, regional expansion and alignment with broader investment strategies in Dubai and Europe.

The programme also addresses capital flows into clubs and leagues. A panel on sports investment is due to feature Amanda Staveley, former owner of Newcastle United, Mary Owen, former owner of Buffalo Billies, and Mehrdad Ghoddusi, also a former Newcastle United owner. Another session with author and fitness figure Nick Santonastasso and Boston Celtics CEO Wyke Grosbeck will explore commercial opportunities across sponsorship, media rights and technology-led services.

The World Sports Summit is scheduled to close with a session bringing together six World Cup-winning players and coaches: Brazilians Ronaldo and Cafu; Spaniards Carles Puyol and Andrés Iniesta; Frenchman Didier Deschamps; and Italian Fabio Cannavaro. Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero will moderate, drawing on their combined experiences to reflect on leadership, competition and the evolving structure of international football.

With inputs from WAM