The State of Qatar and the World Health Organization (WHO) have joined hands to release a comprehensive report highlighting the lessons learned from the “Sport for Health” partnership initiated in 2021. This collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the WHO, FIFA, and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy aimed at prioritising health and safety during major global sporting events, drawing on the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The report, titled “Changing the Game: Strengthening Health and Well-Being Through Sport Events”, was launched during an event titled “Strengthening Health and Well-Being Through Sports Events”.
The release event took place on the sidelines of the 71st session of the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee and was attended by high-ranking officials including Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari and Director-General of WHO H E Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Dr. Al Kuwari highlighted the importance of integrating health into the planning and execution of major global sporting events, emphasizing the transformative power of mega-sports events in creating lasting improvements in public health and well-being. Dr. Ghebreyesus stressed the ability of sporting events to empower people to lead healthier lives, physically and mentally, showcasing the successful implementation of health-related activities during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
The Sport for Health partnership, a collaborative effort aimed at promoting health and safety during major sporting events, implemented a variety of health-related activities focusing on health promotion, health security, and awareness raising through targeted communication efforts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The report evaluated the three-year project and proposed key recommendations, such as developing memorandums of understanding with the private health sector, involving all relevant authorities in decision-making and planning, and enhancing safety through comprehensive plans and procedures followed by extensive training programmes and major incident drills.
The report serves as a model for integrating health promotion, health advocacy, and health security into the staging of mega-sport events, with the WHO committing to ensuring that sporting events continue to drive sustainable health improvements. The collaborative effort between Qatar, the WHO, and FIFA is seen as a blueprint for uniting nations, international organisations, and sports federations towards a shared mission of promoting public health and well-being through sports events. The success of the Sport for Health partnership during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ demonstrates the potential for major sporting events to contribute towards creating healthier communities globally.
