The report “Changing the Game: Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Sport Events”, is the product of the 3-year Sport for Health partnership
Can mega sporting events with worldwide viewership serve as an avenue to better health? A partnership instituted in 2021 to explore this question and tested out during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 has come up with a report that emphatically endorses the idea.
The report, titled Changing the Game: Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Sport Events”, is the product of the 3-year Sport for Health partnership established in 2021 by Qatar and WHO, in collaboration with FIFA and Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, to deliver and ensure the legacy of a healthy and safe FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health for Qatar, said: “The collaboration between Qatar, WHO and FIFA can inspire organisers of major global sporting events to integrate health into the planning and execution of their events. The Sport for Health model reflects a commitment to harness the transformative power of mega-sports events to create lasting improvements in public health and well-being.” said Dr Al Kuwari. The report was unveiled during a Ministerial event titled Strengthening Health and Well-being Through Sport Events, held in Doha during the ongoing 71st WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said, “Sport has the unparalleled ability to inspire, unite, and transform lives. By promoting both physical and mental well-being during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Sport for Health initiative has shown how sport can lead to healthier lives for everyone, setting a valuable model for future global events.”
The Sport for Health Partnership culminated in the staging of a range of health-related activities during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, dealing with health promotion (tobacco control, healthy diets, mental health, and physical activity), health security, and advocacy and communications.
