QatarDebate, founded by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, organized a high-level international dialogue session as part of the Invest Qatar pavilion at the 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The session featured a distinguished group of international leaders in the fields of sports, investment, media, and decision-making.

The session, titled “The New Global Rules of the Game: Athletes, Investment, and the Future of Sport,”

discussed the strategic transformation underway in the global sports sector, moving from a traditional competitive framework to an influential economic sector linked to investment, governance, media, and building soft power for nations. This shift is occurring against the backdrop of the growing role of athletes as active partners in the global economy.

His Excellency Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of Qatar Sports Investments, Chairman of beIN Media Group, and President of Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, emphasized that sports have become an integral part of the global economy. He noted that investing in sports is no longer solely about competition, but rather about a comprehensive system encompassing media, innovation, and brand building. He stressed that true success is achieved through a long-term vision and sustainable governance.

For his part, NBA Hall of Famer and basketball legend Tracy McGrady emphasized the importance of empowering athletes off the court, stressing that investment, entrepreneurship, and building sustainable businesses are essential tools to ensure athletes play an active role after their professional careers end.

Sherif Younousse, Olympic medalist and world number one in beach volleyball, pointed out that high athletic performance forms the basis for investor confidence, emphasizing the importance of building a professional environment that upholds sporting values ​​and supports global competitiveness.

David Moreno Jr., an executive and global consultant in the sports sector, affirmed that the future of sports is closely linked to regulatory and investment frameworks, stressing the need to align sports with legislation and governance and to understand the nature of global markets.

In this context, Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Subaie, Administrative and Strategic Director at QatarDebate, affirmed that this session reflects the center’s commitment to engaging in specialized international dialogues and establishing dialogue as a strategic tool for understanding global transformations and linking sports with investment and decision-making. This contributes to expanding international cooperation and building more sustainable global partnerships.

Mr. Al-Subaie, Director of Administration and Strategy at QatarDebate Center, stated:

“QatarDebate’s participation in this international session reflects our belief that dialogue is no longer merely a tool for discussion, but a strategic pillar for understanding global transformations and formulating more inclusive and sustainable policies. Linking sports, investment, and decision-making opens new horizons for building international partnerships based on mutual understanding and cross-sector integration.”

This participation underscores QatarDebate’s commitment to actively contributing to international dialogues that address cross-sectoral issues and to strengthening the role of dialogue as a strategic tool for building more sustainable global partnerships.