Qatar Foundation, a state-led non-profit organization based in Doha, Qatar that focuses on education, scientific research and community development, announces its partnership with Olympic gold medallist Sifan Hassan. The partnership is about developing sporting talent among Qatari girls. The Dutch middle- and long-distance runner, who recently won one gold and two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will serve as Ambassador for The Creating Pathways Program, focusing on the sport of athletics.

The Creating Pathways Program, launched as part of Qatar Foundation’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ legacy plans, is aimed at encouraging sports for girls aged 12-16, driving home to young people the importance of exercise, nutrition, and overall wellbeing.
Initially targeting high-potential Qatari girls, the program will later expand to after-school and community-based sports initiatives for all young women. The Pathways Program will be supported by local role models and athletes, reflecting the country’s national vision to build a society where sports plays a central role in ensuring a high quality of life.

Hassan, who immigrated to the Netherlands from Ethiopia as a refugee when she was 15. She has won six Olympic medals, was praised for wearing the hijab on the podium in Paris to receive her gold medal, following France’s ban on its own athletes from wearing the headscarf while competing.

Hassan said: “As a refugee, I have been in difficult situations, but running helped me conquer my fear. Because of running, I am not afraid to fail, not afraid to take up challenges, and not afraid to make mistakes. And that is what I would like to pass on to the young girls in Qatar and the region. Girls everywhere hold a lot of promise. They just need some encouragement to believe in themselves and that is what I will help them do.”

Athletics is the first of five elite women’s sports to be launched and is led by Scottish Olympic medallist Liz McColgan. McColgan is a former middle- and long-distance runner who now serves as Director of Athletics at Qatar Foundation CEO’s Office.

McColgan said, “Through three strategically located hubs situated at key locations throughout the country, the Creating Pathways
Program, will build participation rates at the grassroots level, giving girls from every neighbourhood the opportunity to try sports. These after-school and community programs will form the foundations of a talent identification pipeline from which athletes will be selected for an elite club. Our aim is that, by the year 2027, we will have a group of young female athletes that will be able to compete at the national level.”

The World Economic Forum predicts that the Middle East’s sports industry is expected to grow by 8.7% by 2026, compared with global sector growth of 3.3 per cent over the same period.

Based on an extensive research report developed by the Qatar Foundation, there is growing demand for female sports in the country. In collaboration with public and private sector partners, Qatar Foundation is spearheading a national strategy to increase the participation of women and girls in sports. They are doing this by providing greater access to gender-sensitive and conscious spaces. As well as women-only programs at the school, community, and elite levels. The promotion of female role models and apparel brands that cater to culturally and religiously observant women are also key pillars of the strategy. Qatar’ commitment to sports is exemplified by National Sports Day. It is observed annually as an official holiday to encourage participation in sport.

Alexandra Chalat, Executive Director of Partnerships and Strategic Alignment at Qatar Foundation said: “As part of our FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ legacy plans, Qatar Foundation is dedicated to providing accessible sporting opportunities to everyone. In Qatar and elsewhere, women’s sports have often been approached as a bolt on to men’s sports, but our programs reflect the socio-cultural needs of women first and foremost, with female coaches, referees, and safe spaces for women to train freely.”

Working in partnership with the Qatar Olympic Committee and in alignment with the Committee’s National Federation Development Strategy, the program is a precursor to the Women’s Sports Academy. The academy will launch in 2026/2027. It will serve as a feeder into national team selection across a range of sports. The academy will be based at Education City Stadium. The stadium is a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️ venue. The venue is now being transformed into a sporting hub for women and girls. The stadium’s new role is central to Qatar Foundation’s World Cup legacy program. The offering is tailored sporting amenities and housing female sports clubs and organizations.