ABU DHABI: The Ministry of Sports convened the 'Future of Sports Retreat' under the theme 'A New Vision for a Better Sports Future' to chart the course for the National Sports Strategy 2031 and discuss the future of sports in the UAE. This event, the first significant milestone for the Ministry since its inception, gathered senior government and sports community leaders, decision-makers, and athletes to explore opportunities and challenges facing Emirati sports and promote a culture of sports and active lifestyle. According to Emirates News Agency, the retreat was attended by notable figures including Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee; Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; and Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, among others. Discussions were centered on strategies to enhance the sports sector's social and economic impact, developing youth and elite athletes, promoting professionalism, and leveraging sports as public diplomacy to enhance the UAE's global standing. In his opening speech, Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi highlighted the retreat as a platform for collaboration within the sports community. He emphasized the government's commitment to empowering athletes and realizing the potential of Emirati youth. Dr. Al Falasi also addressed athletes from the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games, lauding their resilience and success as inspirations for future athletes. The retreat underscored the importance of collaboration among sports partners to achieve the National Sports Strategy 2031's objectives. Within a year, the UAE sports community has achieved a completion rate of approximately 95 percent of the initial high-priority projects. Key pillars of the strategy include increasing community sports participation to 75 percent by 2031, raising Olympic-qualified athletes to over 30 by 2032, and boosting the sports sector's contribution to the non-oil GDP. The event featured brainstorming sessions on topics such as Youth and Sports, University Sports, Sports and International Public Diplomacy, Expanding Olympic Participation, and Developing Elite Athletes. Athletes from the Paris 2024 Games were honored for their performances and contributions to the UAE's global sports reputation. The retreat concluded with key recommendations, notably the launch of the inaugural University Games. This program aims to foster sports talent by enabling university athletes to compete nationally in football, basketball, and volleyball across 21 universities, supporting the national sports strategy's goal of expanding sports participation and nurturing elite athletes.