The National Sports Strategy 2031, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, is the first comprehensive national strategy for the sports sector in the country. Through the strategy, His Highness announced the commencement of a new phase of UAE sports that indicates a fresh and prosperous turning point for both local and international athletes. The strategy acts as an umbrella for all sports initiatives and projects until 2031. The main aim of the strategy is to achieve the UAE sports sector's vision which encompasses establishing an influential and globally renowned sports sector that promotes an active life among the community. In this regard, 17 key projects have been created, which include three transformative projects and 14 strategic projects that are divided into three phases and will be launched consecutively in the coming years. 

Currently, the efforts to implement various projects under the first phase have already started in collaboration with the General Authority of Sports and several other key partners. It also seeks to lay the foundation for a new, advanced and integrated UAE sports model to support the country's sustainable development. The efforts come in line with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision, to pave the path for achievement and excellence. The focus areas of some of the projects that are being implemented include the development of sports law, accelerating the transformation of sports federations by signing the performance agreement with five priority sports federations, the launch of a pilot version of school games and developing the elite professional sports sector by launching the Emirates Committee for Elite and High-Level Sports.

The launch of the National Sports Strategy 2031, which aligns with the vision of our wise leadership, constitutes an all-encompassing road map to begin a new phase of the UAE's sport sector, which is full of regional and global achievements. The strategy includes various targets for the UAE sports industry, remarkably increasing the society's involvement in sports activities to 71 per cent by 2031, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Furthermore, it also seeks to raise the number of athletes qualifying for the Olympics to over 30 and boost the sports sector's contribution to the country's GDP to 0.5 per cent by 2031. The goal is to transform the sports sector into a prominent contributor towards the development of the national economy by promoting the industry to host tournaments and establishing high-level sports entities that are significant to economic divisions. 

The wise leadership of the country has always prioritised the sports sector by providing substantial support that reflects the country's long-standing heritage. The National Sports Strategy 2031 marks as a remarkable turning point for the future of the UAE's sports sector, serving as a catalyst  to put the UAE sports sector on the right track.

GAS has developed the strategy after a comprehensive study of the real-world condition of sports in the UAE. It aims to address the challenges confronted by UAE sports through three main strategic directions, which encourage indulging in sports activities and building an active life in society, developing sports talent capabilities and succeeding in elite professional sport and fostering the growth of sports institutions. The strategies are backed by two key enablers which are building the regulatory environment and infrastructure and enhancing the reputation of the UAE sports locally and globally.

The main focus of the strategy will be initially on school games since schools are one of the major cornerstones of the UAE's sports renaissance. The strategy will initiate the process of talent discovery, refinement and nurturing, making school sports activities a major resource for developing competitive sports through a wide base of school students. This strategy will further encourage Emirati sports champions to attain the best global recognition and focus on offering the required support for sports federations and elite professional athletes.

The National Sports Strategy 2031 was developed on the basis of the best studies, experiences, and global practices to promote national action and develop the sports sector in the coming years. Additionally, it seeks to reinforce the significance of the sports sector in line with the vision of our wise leadership for the future as well as to boost the government's interest in this significant sector to ensure the continued prominence of UAE sports.