MENA region’s potential as a growing market for sports and events
Josoor Institute successfully wraps up the first block of its second intake of professional certificate and diploma programmes
Doha, Qatar – 9 August, 2015: After one week of engaging presentations, seminars and panel discussions, Josoor Institute, a centre of excellence founded by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), has successfully concluded the first block of its second intake of professional certificate and diploma programmes on “Football and Sports Management” and “Major Events Management”.
The second intake of the programmes welcomed delegates from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman, including representatives from Saudi Professional League and Oman Football Association. Locally, delegates came from the SC, Aspire, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Football Association, Ministry of Interior, ICSS and others.
Commenting on the success of the workshops, Mushtaq Al-Waeli, the Executive Director (acting) of Josoor Institute said: “At Josoor Institute we not only deliver impactful education to create a highly skilled human capital in the region but we also facilitate business and professional networking opportunities that will help our delegates launch and advance in their careers. With this second intake we have once again enabled our delegates to advance on a journey of gaining knowledge and a rewarding career.”
Josoor Institute’s professional certificate and diploma programmes are organised in partnership with renowned international academic partners and have been delivered by some of the leading regional and global experts in sports and major events management. Faculty from Georgetown University, University of Liverpool and Leeds Beckett University came to Doha to talk about topics, which covered contemporary issues in the global sports and events industries, building leaders in these industries and an analysis of goals and resources.
Speaking about the opportunities and challenges faced when hosting mega events, Marty Conway, Lecturer at Georgetown University, and one of the speakers at Josoor Institute’s certificate and diploma programmes, explained why the programme was so important:
He said: “Mega events always come with great opportunities and lots of challenges and there are many lessons to learn every time a new country hosts a big event. They can have a great positive impact on the population, like the general sense of feeling better and feeling more proud of putting your country or your city on the international stage to a point where it has never been before. Qatar and the MENA region should be prepared to use these opportunities.”
Phil Clements, another speaker at Josoor Institute’s certificate and diploma programmes, and an Events, Tourism and Hospitality Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett UK Center for Events Management, praised the potential of the MENA region as a growing market for the sports and events industries and highlighted the significance of Josoor Institute’s programmes in developing the human capacity.
He said: “Every time I come to Doha I am fascinated by the enthusiasm and the motivation of the people I meet and I believe there is no doubt that Qatar has the capacity to deliver a superb 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
“At the moment, the countries in the Middle East have the economic power and they should use the wealth they have now to invest in the future. They should focus their growth around sectors like education, research, sports and events. Josoor Institute has the power to educate and support the talented people from Qatar and the MENA region and in turn build sustainable sports and events industries that would create a strong legacy and a positive impact,” he added.
As part of the programme, the delegates were taken on a tour of the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Delegates were accompanied and briefed by QNCC’s senior management, enabling them to get a better understanding of several aspects of venue management including how a state-of-the-art modern venue is operated and the crucial role a venue plays in making an event a success.
The certificate and diploma programmes consist of six blocks spread over an 18 month period, and are dedicated to individuals working in, or having an interest to work in the sports management or major events management industries. For more information on these and other activities visit: www.josoorinstitute.qa
