Doha: The Embassy of the United States in Qatar and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, in collaboration with the Years of Culture initiative, hosted a panel discussion on the theme “Sports as a Tool for Inclusion” in celebration of the 50th anniversary of US-Qatar diplomatic relations and as a legacy programme for the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.
Guests watched a clip from the acclaimed 2021 American film ‘King Richard,’ followed by a panel of sports leaders and influencers on creating a culture of equity and inclusion through sports. Based on a true story, King Richard follows the childhood and rise to stardom of the inimitable Venus and Serena Williams – exemplars of the best players of all time who changed the sport of tennis forever. Members from Qatar Museums, the Qatar Tennis and Squash Federation, Generation Amazing, and the Qatari Skeet Shooting team joined the panel.
In her opening remarks, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Evyenia Sidereas, said: “Sports bring people together across country borders and cultural differences, as we will all see later this year. They instil qualities of collaboration, resilience, perseverance; have a multiplying effect on health, education, leadership, self-esteem, social bonds; and challenge gender bias.”
Sidereas added, “Sports brings together athletes, fans, families, businesses, sports administrators, civil society, and community leaders – we all have a role to play in instilling gender equality and inclusion.”
Amna Hamad, the Youth Engagement Senior Officer at Generation Amazing, remarked, “If young women are able to see other women in a broad spectrum of professions, they realize that they are represented and welcomed, which inspires them to go on to match or surpass the people they look up to irrespective of their original expectations.” Abdulla Y. Al Mulla, the Director at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, commented on the role representation plays in inclusion.
Skeet shooter Reem Al Sharshani shared how society can help others feel included in sports.
The Executive Director of the Qatar Tennis and Squash Federation, Saad Al Mohannadi, spoke on opportunities to make sports more inclusive.
The panel prefaces the 2022 US-Qatar Women’s Soccer Exchange, sponsored by the US Department of State and facilitated by the US Embassy.
The women’s soccer programme will include eight Qatar-based coaches, players, and sports administrators from Generation Amazing, Qatar Foundation, and the Qatar Women’s Sports Committee.
The programme will focus on the social issue of women in sports entrepreneurship and will build lasting connections to support the development of women’s soccer in the future.
