by Efrata Mengisu | The Voice of Women Sport
DOHA, QATAR — Qatar is preparing to welcome leading figures from the international sporting community as Doha hosts Riyadiya 2026, a conference dedicated to advancing women’s participation, leadership and investment in sport across the Middle East and North Africa.
Organised by Kotinos Sport, the event is expected to bring together athletes, sports administrators, policymakers, academics and industry leaders to examine the opportunities and challenges facing women in the rapidly evolving sporting landscape.
The conference comes at a time when women’s sport is attracting greater international attention, with growing calls for stronger institutional support, increased investment and more opportunities for women to participate in decision-making.
Strengthening Women’s Sport Through International Collaboration
A significant development ahead of the conference is the partnership between Kotinos Sport and Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
The collaboration is intended to strengthen research, policy development and evidence-based initiatives supporting women’s sport across the region.
Loughborough University’s Flagship Institute for Women in Sport will contribute academic expertise, helping connect research with practical strategies aimed at improving opportunities for female athletes and sports professionals.
The partnership reflects a growing recognition that sustainable progress in women’s sport requires more than participation alone. It also depends on effective governance, professional development and long-term investment.
From Participation to Leadership
One of the central issues expected to feature prominently at Riyadiya 2026 is the underrepresentation of women in sporting leadership.
While female athletes have made significant strides in international competition, opportunities in coaching, sports administration, governance and executive leadership remain important areas for development.
The conference will provide a platform to examine how sporting institutions can create stronger pathways for women to progress from grassroots participation to influential positions within national and international organisations.
Discussions will also address investment, career development and the role of research in shaping more inclusive sporting policies.
Doha’s Growing Role in Women’s Sport
For Qatar, hosting the conference presents an opportunity to contribute to the regional conversation surrounding the future of women’s sport.
The country’s experience in staging major international sporting events provides a backdrop for discussions about how investment, infrastructure and institutional cooperation can support female athletes and emerging sporting talent.
However, the long-term significance of Riyadiya 2026 will depend on whether the ideas discussed in Doha lead to practical changes within sporting organisations.
For young women aspiring to become professional athletes, coaches, referees and sports executives, access to resources and opportunities remains essential.
Turning Dialogue Into Lasting Change
As the international sporting community continues to place greater emphasis on gender equality, conferences such as Riyadiya offer an opportunity to connect decision-makers with those working directly to advance women’s sport.
Beyond the discussions, the challenge will be translating recommendations into measurable progress, particularly in areas such as funding, leadership representation and professional opportunities.
Riyadiya 2026 is therefore more than a gathering of sporting professionals. It is an opportunity to examine the structures shaping the future of women’s sport and the changes needed to support the next generation.
For women and girls across the Middle East and North Africa, the most meaningful outcome will not be the discussions held in Doha, but the opportunities that follow.
The Voice of Women Sport | Women’s Sport, Leadership & Development
