Tashkent - Uzbekistan – January 26, 2026:

 The 46th Asian Olympic Council meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, witnessed the signing of an important memorandum of understanding between the Qatari Olympic Academy and the Saudi Olympic Academy, in a step that enhances regional and Gulf sports cooperation. 

The agreement, signed by the Qatari Olympic Academy with the Saudi Olympic Academy, aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of developing sports training cadres. 

This signing comes as part of efforts to promote the Olympic movement and support sports as a means for societal and regional development, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatari Olympic Academy, and His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi Al Saud, Vice President of the Saudi Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Olympic Academy. 

The Qatari Olympic Academy, established as an educational arm of the Qatar Olympic Committee, aims to promote sports culture and develop competencies in the fields of sports management and training. Through these memoranda, the Academy enhances its role as a regional center for education and training, contributing to achieving the goals of the International Olympic Charter, which emphasizes sports as a fundamental right for all, and promotes values such as respect, excellence, and friendship. 

The memorandum of understanding focuses on cooperation in developing sports training cadres, with the agreement aiming to enhance knowledge and practical exchange between the two brotherly countries, reflecting the historical and sports ties between Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The main axes include exchanging invitations to attend courses and conferences organized by each academy, allowing participants to benefit from diverse experiences, in addition to organizing joint training courses where both parties will work on joint courses for workers and those involved in the field of sports academies, with a focus on advanced training skills. 

Joint workshops will also be held to discuss sports issues, such as developing educational programs and addressing administrative challenges. 

The cooperation includes implementing joint programs in preparing specialized sports training cadres, including programs to qualify trainers in various sports. 

The signing of these memoranda represents a strategic step toward building a new generation of sports leaders in Asia and the Gulf. Amid global challenges, such as the shortage of qualified cadres and the impact of pandemics on sports, these agreements contribute to enhancing sports sustainability. 

They also align with Qatar National Vision 2030, which focuses on sports as a driver for human development, and Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy through sports and entertainment. 

This memorandum is expected to lead to an increase in the number of training courses, benefiting thousands of athletes and administrators, and will contribute to strengthening cultural ties between the participating countries, with a focus on Olympic values. 

In a special press statement on this occasion, Mr. Khalil Ibrahim Al Jaber, Executive Director of the Qatari Olympic Academy, said: "We are pleased to sign this memorandum on the sidelines of the Asian Olympic Council meeting in Tashkent, which reflects our commitment to developing the sports movement in Qatar and the region. 

Our cooperation with the Saudi Olympic Academy will open doors for exchanging experiences and joint programs, thereby strengthening Gulf ties in the field of sports."