Qatar-WHO Report: Lessons and Recommendations for Healthier Sporting Events
Building on the experiences from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the State of Qatar and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released a new report that offers insights and recommendations for organizing safe and healthy mega and grassroots sporting events worldwide.
Titled Changing the Game: Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Sport Events, this report stems from the three-year Sport for Health partnership launched in 2021 by Qatar and WHO, in collaboration with FIFA and Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. The report was unveiled during a ministerial event called Strengthening Health and Well-being Through Sport Events, held in Doha as part of the ongoing 71st WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee.
H.E. Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Qatar’s Minister of Public Health, remarked, “The collaboration between Qatar, WHO, and FIFA can inspire organizers of major global sporting events to incorporate health considerations into their planning and execution.”
“The Sport for Health model showcases our commitment to leveraging the transformative power of mega sports events to foster lasting improvements in public health and well-being,” Dr. Al Kuwari added. “This report reflects our collaborative effort—a new model that brings together nations, international organizations, and sports federations in a unified mission.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the report’s demonstration of sports’ potential to motivate individuals to lead healthier lives, both physically and mentally.
“Once again, we see that health promotion, advocacy, and security can be seamlessly integrated into the staging of mega sports events,” Dr. Tedros noted. “WHO is committed to ensuring that sporting events continue to serve as powerful catalysts for sustainable health.”
Qatari Olympic high-jump champion Mr. Mutaz Barshim stated, “Sport has an unparalleled ability to inspire, unite, and transform lives. The Sport for Health initiative demonstrated during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ how sport can lead to healthier lives for everyone, providing a valuable model for future global events.”
The Sport for Health Partnership led to various health-related activities during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, focusing on health promotion (including tobacco control, healthy diets, mental health, and physical activity), health security, and advocacy.
The three-year project review generated several key recommendations, including:
- Establishing memorandums of understanding with the private health sector—such as hospitals and healthcare providers—prior to major events to facilitate effective collaboration.
- Involving all relevant authorities in decision-making, planning, and implementation.
- Developing and reviewing comprehensive plans and procedures to enhance safety at mega sports events, supplemented by rigorous training programs and major incident drills.
- Strengthening compliance with public health measures and established health protocols.
The Sport for Health partnership aimed to safeguard health during and beyond the tournament, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors, players, staff, and residents. It also focused on promoting health outside of sports, leveraging the World Cup’s legacy to advocate for physical activity, healthy nutrition, and lifestyle choices. This report encapsulates the learning outcomes of the partnership and presents the Healthy FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 project as a model to be adapted for future sporting events.
