Qatar Foundation Partners with International School Sport Federation to Boost Sports in Schools

2 Apr, Doha, Qatar - Qatar Foundation has teamed up with ISF to evaluate the sporting landscape within its schools and universities, aiming to boost student participation, especially among women and girls.

Under the agreement with ISF, a thorough analysis will be carried out on the sports programs across Qatar Foundation’s (QF) 13 Pre-University Education (PUE) schools and seven of its universities. This includes assessing both curricular and extracurricular sports activities.

ISF will compile the results, comparing them with local and international schools, and develop a list of recommendations to advance the schools and universities towards global best practices. The analysis and recommendations are expected to be finalized by July 2024.

Abeer Al-Khalifa, President of Pre-University Education, Qatar Foundation, said: “Qatar Foundation is committed to fostering interest and enthusiasm for sports among the local community, especially young people, recognizing how it can serve as a pathway to healthy lifestyles."

“It is for this reason that we have partnered with ISF to evaluate our sporting systems. We aim to serve as a role model within the region and beyond, leading by example, and to achieve this, we must prioritize innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in all our endeavors.”

Laurent Petrynka, ISF President and IOC Olympic Education Commission Member, said: “We would like to thank Qatar Foundation for choosing the ISF and the ISF Academy to conduct this important mission. We hope that the outcomes of our work will contribute ultimately to support the increase of sport participation of the QF school students, and girls in particular."

“In the framework of this Olympic year, I am convinced that the bold vision of Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, will inspire other government decision makers worldwide to invest in sport at school, whether it’s for developing grassroot or elite sport strategy. Everything starts at school.”

Education City – The City Beyond Education x Qatar Foundation

Qatar Foundation’s Education City is an exciting destination that offers Qatar’s communities and visitors a wide range of activities and experiences. From sports, culture, arts, and heritage to architecture, environmentally focused outdoor spaces, and accessibility-friendly events, Education City is The City Beyond Education.

To explore upcoming events and happenings, and find out how to reach Education City, please visit: https://www.qf.org.qa/education/education-city. You can also book your classes, events and activities on the Education City App, which can be downloaded through Apple or Google Play. 

Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, research and development, and community development.     

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF’s world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation’s development.     

QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all.     

ISF Academy

The ISF Academy is the educational center of the International School Sport Federation. It has the mission to create and deliver short-, mid-, and long-term quality education and capacity-building activities and strategy for physical education teachers, national school sport representatives, national educational institution decision makers, coaches, and school students around the world.