The General Authority of Sports (GAS) recently unveiled an initiative to commemorate all the noteworthy accomplishments and milestones achieved in the UAE sports sector throughout the year 2023, which coincided with National Sports Day. This was part of the efforts to foster the sports sector in the country through collaborations with all our strategic partners, including committees, councils, federations, and sports clubs. Our overarching goal behind launching this initiative was to create an annual occasion to recognise and celebrate the incredible achievements of the country's athletes and teams, honouring their hard work and commitment to excellence.

The year 2023 was remarkable for the UAE sports sector as it was filled with numerous exceptional sporting accomplishments. The year further bore witness to the launch of numerous innovative initiatives, all of which were aimed at enhancing the sector. The success achieved in the realm of sports symbolises the unwavering commitment of all parties involved in the sector. Teams from several organisations across the UAE's sports sectors have assiduously worked together to achieve our collective athletic goals.

There were two noteworthy achievements in the field of sports development last year. The first milestone was the introduction of the National Sports Strategy - 2031. This strategy provides a thorough framework for several initiatives and projects aimed at increasing the presence of UAE sports across the world. It includes seventeen projects in total, all of which will be carried out in three phases, spanning until 2031.

Achieving significant advancements and remarkable growth in the sports sector requires establishing a solid legal framework for our sports system, among many other things. The second milestone was marked with the introduction of Federal Law No. 4 of 2023 Concerning Sports (Sports Law), which was approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. This is a true reflection of the immense value and attention that our wise leadership places on sports as a tool of soft power in developed countries.

This Federal Law has been developed for the first time in the UAE with the single objective of encompassing all facets of sports work. This further includes detailed articles that are aimed at promoting comprehensive growth in all areas of sports work as well as improving the sports infrastructure in the UAE.

The UAE Sports Law has been established following a comprehensive review of international sports-related practices, demonstrating the government's steadfast commitment to developing the sports sector as a cornerstone for economic growth. The law has been carefully prepared to be following the provisions of the Olympic Charter, the Paralympic Charter, as well as national and international laws and regulations. Its primary goals align with the 'We Are the UAE' 2031 vision and the National Sports Strategy-2031, aimed at improving the legal framework governing the UAE's sports industry.

A comprehensive framework for this law has been developed through extensive comparative and normative studies. The framework aims to unite and synchronise the objectives of advancing the sports sector at both the federal and local levels. It also seeks to empower appropriate authorities to create inclusive sports opportunities and encourage increased societal participation in sports. Our national sports objectives also aim to promote sports as a lifestyle and cultural element throughout many sectors of society.

A group of experts in the sports industry worked together to create the Sports Law. The law was drafted by a higher committee, which commenced its efforts in 2018. The law has been shared with relevant stakeholders, including the National Olympic Committee, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Dubai Sports Council, Sharjah Sports Council, local governments in the UAE's seven emirates, sports federations, and clubs, in order to guarantee inclusion and gain valuable insights. Their suggestions, views, and feedback have been carefully considered in the formulation process.

The key objective behind this law is to achieve excellence in the UAE's sports sector. It further focuses on three main segments - community sports players, competitive sports players, and people of determination. It also seeks to involve ten additional supportive categories, such as government sports bodies. The Law also addresses other qualitative groups, such as committees, federations, clubs, and sports centres, the health sector, sports arbitration, education institutions, and various sports entities in the UAE. The ultimate goal is to enhance the support mechanisms for the development of national sports.

The UAE Sports Law stands out for its provisions and clauses in the Middle East region. These include the following - allocating dedicated spaces in residential areas for exercise, regulating sports professions, promoting the establishment of independent sports associations, fostering elite and high-level performance sports, supporting sports investment, and encouraging the identification and development of talent. The objective is to achieve the UAE's vision of nurturing talented athletes who can serve as role models by attaining titles and hoisting the country's flag in international podiums.

Extensive efforts are currently underway to draft the executive regulations for the Sports Law in the upcoming phase. These regulations aim to establish a framework that promotes sports integrity across all sports activities and fields, while also preventing and prohibiting the use of doping in sports. Additionally, the regulations will govern the issuance of licenses for sports professions and the announcement of sports organisations within the UAE. One of the key objectives is to provide clear guidelines to both federal and local government entities that support the establishment of sports facilities to meet health, safety, and infrastructure conditions. This move further aims to safeguard the well-being and rights of athletes. Moreover, the regulations encompass various provisions aimed at enhancing the performance of all sports entities and driving them toward achieving institutional excellence. Through these measures, the development process of the sports sector is expected to be completed, contributing to significant sporting accomplishments, and elevating the country's reputation regionally, continentally, and internationally.