Latest news with #MinistryOfSports
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Ministry of Sports organises second ‘Customer Councils' session of 2025
UAE: The Ministry of Sports convened the second 'Customer Councils' session of 2025, as part of its commitment to strengthening partnerships with private sector sports organisations and national federations. In line with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision under the 'Forward Ecosystem' pillar, the session sought to advance the goals of the Zero Bureaucracy programme by improving the quality of sports services provided to customers, as well as streamlining sports licensing services. Held at the Oxygen Gym in Dubai, the second edition of the council was attended by specialised teams from the Ministry of Sports and over 30 representatives from the National Paralympic Committee, Dubai Sports Council, Sharjah Sports Council, and Fujairah Municipality, and various sports clubs, private sports centres and sports federations. The Ministry of Sports emphasized that the second Customer Councils of 2025 reflected the Ministry's aim to promote a customer-driven approach in service design. As a vital part of the long-term growth and development of the sporting ecosystem, we highly prioritise enhancing the private sector's contributions to the advancement of sporting activities. We believe that customers are best equipped to identify challenges and present ideas that elevate services. In line with this, we are committed to holding 'Customer Councils' as open and direct forums for creativity and innovation, placing the customer at the forefront of development processes. In an effort to streamline the process, the Ministry highlighted that the elimination of redundant documentation and requirements, which reduces the number of data fields needed to obtain services, as well as the use of state-of-the-art technologies in the Sportifai platform. It further reaffirmed that the Ministry's goal to deliver an integrated and smart experience that enhances customer satisfaction, elevates performance efficiency, and strengthens institutional governance frameworks in the national sports sector. Participants emphasised the significance of holding these councils on a regular basis, as they serve as an ideal practical platform for exchanging experiences and ideas, accelerating service improvements, encouraging innovation in the sports sector, and establishing an efficient and sustainable sports environment. They also commended the Ministry's commitment towards the initiative and its efforts to strengthen the sporting ecosystem. Following the session, specialised work teams within the Ministry reviewed and analysed the feedback and suggestions made by representatives of sports organisations to categorise these insights and pinpoint any possible gaps in service delivery. The 'Customer Councils' session represents the Ministry's proactive efforts to create a flexible, intelligent and integrated sports service system that is transparent and simple to navigate. They are governed in accordance with the authorised guidelines established by the 'Emirates Programme for Excellence in Government Services,' in an open, innovation-driven environment that focuses on shaping smart and integrated sports services. -Ends-
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Ministry of Sports applauds UAE Chess Federation's pioneering initiative to include resident members in Board of Directors
United Arab Emirates, The extraordinary general assembly meeting of the UAE Chess Federation recently marked a pioneering milestone by adopting the 'List System' for the 2025–2028 Board of Directors electoral term, in alignment with the Sports Law. The Assembly approved the inclusion of resident members on the Board with a representation of up to 30 per cent. This marks a qualitative shift in the way in which sports federation boards are formed, reinforcing the principle of involving all segments of society in the decision-making process, aligning with the vision of the UAE's wise leadership. It also lays the foundation for a new model that responds to the precise needs of the current development phase in the national sports sector. The Ministry of Sports affirmed that the UAE Chess Federation's experience constitutes a historic milestone in the nation's sports governance development journey. The new system will be adopted as a pilot model within a well-studied, integrated approach aimed at assessing the institutional and technical impact of this initiative on the federation's performance and its ability to achieve its goals. This includes evaluating decision-making efficiency, diversity of expertise, speed of initiative implementation, as well as internal governance effectiveness. Based on the outcomes of this experience, a comprehensive analysis will be conducted to help shape future policies for the development of board formation mechanisms across other federations. The approach may be gradually generalised depending on the extent to which the intended objectives are achieved, in alignment with the principles of professionalism, sustainability, and inclusivity within the sports sector. The Ministry considers the inclusion of resident members in the boards of sports federations as a practical embodiment of the values of openness, tolerance, and diversity. This inclusion enhances the contribution of the residents to sports development by harnessing their expertise and talents, further reinforcing the role of sports as a national tool for development, social integration, and empowerment. This experience also highlights the need to integrate elite talents into sports leadership, particularly in specialised areas such as sports marketing, strategic planning, technical analysis, and the adoption of modern technologies. The Ministry believes that involving members with advanced expertise serves as an institutional enabler for achieving performance excellence. This step aligns with the Ministry's vision to develop the administrative structure of sports federations and instate qualified professionals capable of transforming these entities into pioneering institutions characterised by responsible decision-making, agility, and innovation. This initiative highlights the Ministry's efforts to instil a robust governance culture as the guiding framework for all institutional processes within the sports sector. Moreover, the adoption of the electoral list system is considered a significant organisational advancement, reinforcing the commitment of sports bodies to the principles of integrity, transparency, specialisation, and administrative integration. The Ministry views governance not merely as a regulatory tool, but as a comprehensive approach that supports the development of stronger partnerships with all sports institutions. It helps foster a collaborative working environment and contributes to empowering these entities by enhancing their ability to identify talent, increase the number of active sports participants, and improve overall sports performance efficiency. The Ministry emphasises that its support for sports federations goes beyond financial or logistical assistance, extending to the development of effective administrative models, ensuring comprehensive governance, and empowering the board of directors by offering them institutional innovation tools.
Arab News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Sports Ministry organizes hiking event in Baha
RIYADH: The Baha branch of the Ministry of Sports, together with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation, organized a hiking program as part of the 'Color Your Summer with Sports' campaign. The event was held in cooperation with the region's municipality and health cluster as part of the Baha Summer Season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. Bandar Al-Ghamdi, director of the ministry's branch in Baha, said the program included 120 people. The event took place in natural locations that reflect the region's landscape, he added. Baha's mountains, valleys and dams offer suitable areas for various sports, including mountain and water activities, he said. These features support the region's role in sports tourism in the Kingdom. Al-Ghamdi added that the program is part of a plan to develop the sports sector in Baha and build partnerships with sports federations. The initiative aims to support the local economy and attract sports and tourism visitors, from the Kingdom and beyond, Al-Ghamdi said.
Arab News
06-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Pro League takes over financial oversight of clubs in major governance shift
RIYADH: The Saudi Professional League announced on Sunday it had officially taken on the responsibility of organizing and monitoring the financial regulations governing its member clubs. The announcement follows a decision by the Ministry of Sports to transfer oversight duties from the Financial Sustainability Committee to a newly established body under the League. The new Financial Oversight Committee, operating under the SPL's remit, will be tasked with overseeing football-related financial activity across all SPL clubs. The move is designed to enhance financial governance, streamline regulatory processes, and strengthen institutional discipline within the rapidly growing Saudi football sector. The committee will be composed of representatives from the Ministry of Sports, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and the SPL itself, alongside independent members. Its core responsibilities will include issuing financial competency certificates, monitoring club finances, and ensuring compliance with league-wide financial regulations. 'This is an important step toward unifying oversight, simplifying procedures, and promoting a more professional work environment across clubs,' the League said in a statement. 'The aim is to raise compliance levels and improve the speed and efficiency of financial reviews,' it added. While the new mandate is limited to football activity within Saudi Pro League clubs, officials said the reform marked a broader commitment to improved governance and financial sustainability across the sport. The SPL added that it would continue its work on existing oversight functions, such as tracking late payments and ensuring clubs meet their financial obligations, as part of the existing certification process. The issuance of financial competency certificates will remain a key condition for clubs to operate in compliance with league rules. In addition, new regulatory standards and planning tools are being gradually introduced. These are intended to bolster long-term investment in club infrastructure and administration, while also helping clubs avoid financial distress through better fiscal discipline. The SPL noted that the changes come in response to past financial and administrative challenges faced by several clubs, and reflect a coordinated effort between the League, the sports ministry, and the SAFF to promote sustainable growth. 'This development is part of an integrated approach,' the League said, 'aimed at supporting clubs in building strong, stable institutions that match the ambitions of their fans.'
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ministry of Sports holds its first of the ‘Customer Councils' of 2025
United Arab Emirates - The Ministry of Sports held its first of the 'Customer Councils' of 2025, under the Zero Bureaucracy Program. This reflects the Ministry's commitment to improving government services and boosting operational efficiency across the sports sector. The session was attended by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, and H.E. Ghanim Mubarak El-Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, alongside more than 40 representatives of national sports federations. The Council reflected the Ministry of Sport's dedication to strengthening partnerships with relevant entities within the national sports ecosystem and supporting government directives to prioritise customers while designing and developing services. This aligns with the objectives of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision, which aims to position the UAE as one of the world's most efficient and leading governments. H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, emphasized that organizing the first Customer Council for 2025 reflects the Ministry's commitment to involving customers in the development of sports services. He stated: "At the Ministry of Sports, we operate according to a participatory approach based on innovation, integration, and flexibility. We believe that true development begins with the customer, who is best positioned to identify challenges and propose practical solutions based on their daily experience. In this context, Customer Councils serve as a key tool for direct engagement, identifying areas for improvement, and adopting proposals that simplify procedures and reduce administrative burdens on customers, in alignment with the 'Zero Bureaucracy' program, thereby contributing to the UAE Government's journey toward global leadership in delivering services that meet and exceed customer expectations." H.E. added: "In the same vein, we recently launched the 'Sportifai' digital transformation platform, which primarily aims to digitize processes and accelerate their completion to facilitate access to services. The platform also provides data to all sports entities in the country and connects them within a unified ecosystem, utilizing the latest technologies based on artificial intelligence and precise data. Through this integration of direct engagement and digital transformation, we aim to offer a seamless, equitable, and flexible experience for all users, while also enhancing service efficiency to support the future of Emirati sports." Sportifai is the national platform launched by the Ministry of Sports to strengthen governance across the entire sports sector and to offer smart services that simplify the customer journey by reducing unnecessary documentation and requirements for obtaining services. It connects athletes and sports entities through a comprehensive digital ecosystem that includes academies, federations, clubs, and schools. The platform also serves as the digital incubator for several other platforms and services, including the "Talent Committee" platform, which tracks athletes' journeys from early stages to elite professionalism, along with other integrated services that will empower federations both technically and administratively. The 'Customer Councils' is one of several innovative government tools designed to enhance communication with stakeholders. It provides an open and inclusive platform for exchanging ideas, addressing challenges, and identifying development opportunities that support the evolution of the sports service landscape, improve and accelerate procedures, and increase partner and stakeholder satisfaction. Following the Council, dedicated teams within the Ministry of Sports responsible for service development and bureaucracy reduction began reviewing the proposals and feedback submitted by federation representatives. These are being prioritised for implementation to support operational excellence and raise service quality across the board. These Councils are part of the Ministry's wider efforts to enhance user experiences, streamline administrative procedures, reduce documentation, and expand access to efficient, tech-enabled sports services supported by technology and artificial intelligence. These initiatives reflect the UAE's commitment to international standards of public service delivery. For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:
