Doha, April 15, 2026:
In a step that reflects the leadership of the Qatar Olympic Academy in preparing national and regional cadres, the Academy organized a specialized course titled Sports Villages Management over three days, with the participation of more than seventy male and female trainees from inside Qatar and abroad, representing diverse functional and academic disciplines.

This course stands out as a unique milestone, being held for the first time in the region with such a specialized focus. It reaffirms the belief of the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Qatar Olympic Academy in the importance of this vital field, especially as the region prepares to host major sporting events, most notably the Asian Games – Doha 2030 and the Asian Games – Riyadh 2034.

At the opening ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Vice Chairman of the Qatar Olympic Academy Board, delivered a welcoming speech to the trainees. He expressed his delight at the large number of participants eager to attend one of the Academy’s most important courses, emphasizing that the QOC and the Academy are committed to organizing such programs in recognition of their importance, as Qatar and the region are on the verge of hosting significant events. He noted that the course aims to create qualified cadres capable of managing sports villages during major tournaments, particularly since a sports village can involve more than 10,000 staff and volunteers working across multiple specialties to ensure the highest organizational standards.

The opening was also attended by Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Buainain, CEO of the Organizing Committee for the Asian Games – Doha 2030, and Mr. Khalil Al Jaber, Executive Director of the Qatar Olympic Academy.

The course covered comprehensive and in-depth themes, focusing on understanding the sports village as an integrated system rather than a collection of separate facilities. It addressed the ability to plan and design a fully functional layout for the village, explored governance and sustainable management mechanisms, and examined the planning and administration of multi-sport and multi-user operations. The program also emphasized the importance of positioning the sports village as a holistic destination and ensuring sustainability and long-term impact of these vital facilities.

Lectures were delivered by Mr. Luis Luis, an expert with the Qatar Olympic Committee, who enriched the course with practical insights drawn from his experience in more than twelve Olympic and Asian Games editions and other multi-sport events. His expertise enabled him to share accumulated knowledge with participants and provide real-life examples of challenges in managing sports villages and strategies to overcome them. Participants engaged actively with his sessions, raising diverse questions on how to apply these experiences in the Qatari and regional context, and how to leverage them in preparation for the Asian Games – Doha 2030 and other major sporting events.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the course was its focus on sustainability, now considered a key success factor in managing major sporting events. The program introduced practical strategies for waste reduction, efficient resource management, and circular systems that ensure the positive impact of the sports village continues beyond the conclusion of the event.

Participants also discussed the importance of stakeholder engagement in the management process, ranging from athletes and Olympic committees to local communities, ensuring a balance between sporting objectives and environmental and social considerations.

Attendees expressed their appreciation for this pioneering initiative, affirming that the course represented a valuable addition to their professional development. They noted that it would enhance their ability to address the complex challenges of sports village management, open new horizons for careers in event organization, and strengthen their opportunities to contribute effectively to the success of the Asian Games – Doha 2030.