International leaders representing government, policy, development, and civil society have been urged to form a new global coalition dedicated to transforming the role of sport in social development. The initiative was unveiled during a three-day dialogue convened by the Qatar Foundation and Wilton Park, an executive agency of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Development practitioners, rights advocates, NGOs, and sport administrators, participants explored how the Global South can play a greater role in shaping international priorities and ensuring solutions reflect the realities of the communities they are intended to serve, bringing together policymakers. They were joined by representatives from organizations including the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Right to Play, the Street Child World Cup, the Yunus Centre, NBA Africa, London Marathon Foundation, and FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball), as well as from QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University, the University of Oxford, and New York University.
The event, themed ‘Sport for Development in the Global South: Advancing Female Empowerment, Inclusion, and Accessibility,’ focused on identifying systemic changes needed in research, infrastructure, finance, and coaching to address existing inequalities. Moving forward, the organizers will develop a formal roadmap for these actions, targeting barriers that currently hinder women, girls, people with disabilities, and displaced communities from participating in sports. Ramson, Guyana’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation, issued a direct invitation to delegates to join a coalition aimed at turning international commitments into tangible action. She noted that this work builds upon a 2025 resolution. Initiated by Qatar alongside countries like Indonesia and Morocco, Resolution 59/17 has secured co-sponsorship from 71 nations. Sheikha Hind emphasized that the goal transcends simple parity, which she argued assumes identical needs where none exist. Initiated and submitted by Qatar on behalf of a core group of countries including Indonesia and Morocco, Resolution 59/17 has since been co-sponsored by 71 countries, and Her Excellency Sheikha Hind told the global audience at Wilton Park that its ambition “goes beyond parity”.
She argued that the unique barriers faced by girls, including safety concerns and social stigma, are often compounded by a research landscape that ignores their specific requirements. This lack of consideration results in higher injury rates and dropout levels among female athletes, as current sporting pathways are rarely designed with women and girls in mind. To address this, she urged participants to close these gaps through practical measures, such as involving women in facility design and providing tailored coaching.
Highlighting sport as a significantly underutilized development tool, Sheikha Hind noted its potential to build leadership, mobility, and confidence, particularly in impoverished communities. She emphasized the necessity of a sustained agenda driven by a deliberately assembled coalition. The Qatar Foundation, she added, is prepared to lead this effort to ensure that opportunities for female athletes are treated as a priority rather than an afterthought. To lead, to fail and try again in public — and that confidence follows her into the classroom, the workplace, and civic life, a girl who plays on a team learns to take up space.
The dialogue brought together a range of major organizations, including the International Paralympic Committee, Olympism365, the Special Olympics, the British Olympic Association, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee. Participants discussed strategies to expand access, the role of international donors in funding sport-for-good projects, and ways to overcome structural barriers that limit female participation. And the barriers are structural, cultural, and often invisible until you look closely.”, but access remains deeply uneven.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman, President-Elect of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, emphasized the transformative potential of sports during his opening address. He noted that the upcoming General Assembly session will place the 2030 Agenda and inclusive multilateralism at the center of its mission, citing the impact sport has on shifting community perceptions of girls across the Global South.
Qatar’s commitment to these goals is rooted in its experience as a global sporting hub, spanning from the 2006 Asian Games—which it is set to host again in 2030—to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The nation continues to invest in pathways that ensure athletes of all backgrounds can succeed. Specifically, the Qatar Foundation has seen over 70,000 women and girls participate in events at Education City Stadium within the last two years.
The foundation’s ‘Creating Pathways’ program has already supported more than 1,000 girls in diverse sports, including fencing, basketball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Furthermore, the ‘Circle In’ initiative—a collaboration between the Qatar Foundation, the International Olympic Committee, and the Education Above All Foundation—is actively supporting projects across 10 countries with a specific focus on marginalized populations. And Olympic fencing medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad also attended, alongside The Honorable Charles S, leading athletes including sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Victoria Nussbaumer, Executive Director of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, echoed these sentiments, stressing that every girl deserves a safe, supportive environment to participate. She emphasized that organizational responsibility extends beyond the court to the entire sporting ecosystem, including media, photography, coaching, and leadership roles.
Ultimately, the coalition seeks to ensure that today’s newfound opportunities for inclusivity become a lasting legacy for future generations. By building the necessary scientific research base and fostering deliberate partnerships, the organizers aim to create a global environment where female participation is integrated into the very structure of development programs.
