West Sussex, England – September 20, 2026 -- International leaders from government, policy, development, and sport bodies concluded a three-day dialogue at Wilton Park, hosted with Qatar Foundation (QF), agreeing to build a global coalition converting sport's development potential into concrete policy action.
Wilton Park and Qatar Foundation commit to joint roadmap on coaching and infrastructure
The two organizations will now jointly develop an actionable roadmap spanning policy, coaching, and infrastructure reform. The dialogue, themed 'Sport for Development in the Global South: Advancing Female Empowerment, Inclusion, and Accessibility', targeted structural barriers limiting sporting opportunity for women and girls.
UN Resolution 59/17 backed by 71 nations frames the policy agenda
Discussions built on UN Resolution 59/17, initiated by Qatar alongside Indonesia and Morocco and co-sponsored by 71 nations. Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, said barriers facing girls in sport are structurally different from those facing boys, calling for facilities designed with women's input, coaching tailored to women's needs, and expanded scientific research on women's and girls' sport.
UN General Assembly president-elect links sports participation to civic confidence
His Excellency Dr. Khalilur Rahman, President-Elect of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, told delegates that team sport participation reshapes how girls are perceived by their families and communities. He said the confidence built through competing and failing publicly carries into classrooms, workplaces, and civic life.
Olympic athletes and NBA Africa join development organizations at dialogue
Participants included Olympism365, Special Olympics, Laureus Sport for Good, NBA Africa, and FIVB, alongside Olympic athletes Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Ibtihaj Muhammad.
Qatar Foundation reports 70,000 female participants at Education City Stadium
QF said more than 70,000 female participants have taken part in tailored sporting activities at its Education City Stadium over the past two years. Its Circle In initiative currently supports sport-for-development projects across 10 countries.