The Shura Council’s recent session on the role of sports clubs sends a clear and timely message that sport is not merely about competition or trophies, but about people, values, and nation-building.
The discussion, chaired by Speaker H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim yesterday, reaffirmed a long-standing national conviction that youth development sits at the heart of Qatar National Vision 2030 and that sports clubs are among the most effective tools to achieve it.
What stands out in the Council’s deliberations is the holistic understanding of sport. By recalling Article 22 of the Constitution, the Speaker grounded the conversation in a constitutional and moral duty to protect and nurture young people physically, mentally, and ethically.
This framing elevates sports clubs from being recreational outlets to becoming social institutions with a responsibility comparable to families, schools, mosques, and the media. In an age where young people face unprecedented distractions and pressures, such institutions are no longer optional rather they are essential.
“The nation’s attention to people is manifested in the remarkable progress it has witnessed throughout the past decades in multiple sectors, foremost of which is the sport sector, with the nation harnessing all human and material potential, culminating in a world-class sport infrastructure,” the Speaker noted.
He further indicated that the Qatari younger generation has achieved sport milestones both on the regional and global stages, notably the increase in the number of professional and societal sports practitioners in the country.
Qatar’s investment in world-class sports infrastructure is often highlighted on global stages but the Council’s discussion rightly shifted the focus inward, toward community impact. Sports clubs today are not just stadiums and training halls; they are green spaces, fitness centres, academies, and social hubs embedded in neighbourhoods. Their ability to strengthen social bonds, promote healthy lifestyles, and offer productive use of leisure time is as valuable as their role in producing elite athletes.
Equally important is the emphasis on values. Discipline, teamwork, punctuality, patriotism, and volunteerism are not abstract ideals; they are learned through daily practice in environments like sports clubs.
The Council’s call to broaden engagement particularly for the elderly and persons with disabilities reflects an inclusive vision of community life. Sports clubs, if properly activated, can become intergenerational spaces that unite diverse segments of society. Similarly, the push for stronger partnerships with youth centres, educational institutions, civil society, and the private sector signals a pragmatic approach to sustainability and innovation.
Also the emphasis on media and digital platforms is crucial. To remain relevant to a youth-dominated population, clubs must speak the language of young people and meet them where they are.
