World Sports Summit: Sheikh Mansoor emphasises sport’s power to unite and shape the future

Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, hailed the distinct role of sport in bringing the world together as he inaugurated the World Sports Summit in Dubai on Monday.

The two-day event held under the patronage of 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, has brought together over 1,500 sports sector trailblazers, stars, legends and representatives of sports organisations and federations from around the world.

Sheikh Mansoor affirmed that the summit provides an annual platform for shaping the future of international sports, discussing promising opportunities and prospects for short and long-term development, and strengthening international cooperation and partnerships.

He further highlighted the summit’s potential to generate ideas for future legislation to address challenges and build a better future for sports in terms of regulation, organisation, performance, funding, talent discovery and development, the use of artificial intelligence in driving sports development programmes, and other vital aspects related to the sector’s growth.

He 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.”

The summit commenced with an opening address by Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, who emphasised that Dubai is the ideal place for dialogue, discussion, and activating international partnerships to address challenges and prepare for new opportunities in the sports sector, thanks to its forward-looking vision based on a comprehensive development outlook and its accent on initiatives aimed at enhancing overall quality of life for diverse communities.

He stated that one of the primary goals of the World Sports Summit is to facilitate global dialogue on the present and future of sport, stressing the importance of sport’s role in creating a better life for people all over the world.

The opening day also witnessed Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in Bahrain, participating in a keynote session entitled ‘Leading from the Front Lines.’

This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who spoke about his sporting journey and the major challenges he faced on his path to international success.

Nasser Al Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain, shared the club’s successful experience in recent years across sports, business and culture. The session was moderated by Peter Crouch, former Liverpool and England striker.

Tennis champions Ons Jabeur of Tunisia and Paula Badosa of Spain participated in a panel discussion entitled ‘Defying Expectations: A Spectrum of Turning Pressures and Disappointments into Historic Moments,’ moderated by journalist, Sarah Stone.

Another special session featured former boxer Oleksandr Usyk. A group of former players and current managers in the American basketball league, including Tamika Tremaleo, Terri Smith, Jessica Berman, Michelle Roberts and Danita Johnson, participated in a session on the leadership role of women in sports and business.

A panel discussion featuring Brazilian and international football legend Ronaldo Nazario concluded discussions on the opening day of the summit.

The celebrated footballer recounted his journey from the pitch to the world of entrepreneurship.

The second day of the summit will open with a high-profile session featuring Mixed Martial Arts legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who will share insights on the future of combat sports. The discussion will be moderated by former England and Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand.

Another standout session will bring together iconic figures from Italian football, including legendary playmaker Roberto Baggio, his daughter Valentina Baggio, and Alessandro Del Piero, a 2006 FIFA World Cup winner, for a unique intergenerational conversation on football and legacy.

A separate panel will unite prominent American sports figures—Reggie Bush, Baron Davis, Marquez Colston, and Swin Cash—to explore the relationship between elite athletic performance and sports management, drawing on their experiences on and off the field.

The fourth session will examine the growing influence of sports championships and star athletes on the global fashion industry. Participants will include Jamie Wynne, President of luxury fashion brand Jimmy Choo; American football star Victor Cruz; and Michael Utley, Commercial Director of AC Milan.

In a special session dedicated to the EuroLeague, Abdullah Al Naboodah, Founder and Owner of Dubai Basketball Club, which competes in the league, will be joined by French basketball legend Tony Parker, owner of ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, and Paulius Motiejunas, CEO of the EuroLeague, to discuss the league’s growth and future vision.