Sheikha Hind calls for global coalition to advance social development through sport at QF-Wilton Park Dialogue

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, has urged international leaders from sports, government, policy, development, and civil society to collaborate on a global coalition to leverage sports for social development at a dialogue hosted by Qatar Foundation and Wilton Park. Held under the theme 'Sport for Development in the Global South: Advancing Female Empowerment, Inclusion, and Accessibility', the three-day event explored why sports systems often exclude women and girls and what changes are needed in policy, research, finance, infrastructure, coaching, and athlete pathways.

Representing policymakers, development practitioners, rights advocates, multilateral development banks, NGOs, and sports administrators, participants discussed how the Global South can shape international priorities to ensure solutions reflect local realities. Qatar Foundation and Wilton Park will now develop a policy brief outlining actions, partnerships, and approaches to address barriers preventing women and girls, people with disabilities, and displaced communities from accessing and benefiting from sports.

Speaking at the dialogue, Sheikha Hind called for international leaders to join a global sport-for-development coalition that "carries commitments forward and turns them into action". She emphasized that parity in sports is insufficient, as barriers like safety risks, stigma, and inadequate research for women and girls' needs must be addressed. In the Global South, Sheikha Hind noted high injury rates and dropout rates among female athletes due to poorly designed sporting pathways.

She advocated for involving women in facility design, providing tailored coaching, and building scientific research on women's and girls' sports. Describing sports as "one of the most underused tools for development", Sheikha Hind stressed that confidence, mobility, leadership, and opportunity are gained through sports, particularly for women and girls in impoverished communities. However, access remains deeply uneven due to structural, cultural, and often invisible barriers.

Inviting attendees to join the coalition, Sheikha Hind urged Qatar Foundation to lead this effort. UK Foreign Secretary Dr. Khalilur Rahman, President-Elect of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, highlighted how sports empower girls and challenge societal assumptions about women's roles. He emphasized the UN's need for practical, inclusive partnerships like this one to deliver for all.