A remarkable development pertaining to Qatari sports took place recently as the Qatar Foundation (QF) launched a program that would develop young female talent from across the country. Titled “Creating Pathways Program”, the initiative, launched as part of Qatar Foundation’s FIFA World Cup legacy plans, aims to encourage activity in sports for girls aged 12-16.
Local mentors and trained coaches will lead the sessions, driving home to young people the importance of exercise, nutrition, and overall wellbeing. The programe will initially help the budding track and field athletes in unlocking their potential. The authorities picked an ideal athlete as an ambassador for their programme – the reigning Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan – a Dutch superstar of Ethiopian origin. The program, headed by Olympic medalist Elizabeth McColgan, Director of Athletics at QF’s CEO Office, has five elite sports in its list with the athletics mission getting underway this month.
At the start of the program, high-potential Qatari girls will get the training in a female-only training environment before it will be expanded to after-school and community-based sports initiatives. During the launch of the programe last week, six-time Olympic medalist Hassan delivered an inspiring speech, highlighting that girls possess immense potential and the promise to achieve greatness. “As a refugee, I have been in difficult situations, but running helped me conquer my fear. Because of running, I am not afraid to fail, not afraid to take up challenges, and not afraid to make mistakes, and that is what I would like pass on to the young girls in Qatar and the region,” she said.
The Qatar Foundation is committed to promoting the participation of women and girls in sports and to providing a safe and welcoming environment for female athletes of all ages and skill levels. The Creating Pathways Program has been designed with women in mind – healthy you, healthy body, healthy mind, said McColgan. Working in partnership with the Qatar Olympic Committee, and in alignment with QOC’s National Federation Development Strategy, the Creating Pathways Program is the precursor to Qatar Foundation creating a Women’s Sports Academy, which will be launched in 2026/2027 and will aim to serve as a feeder into national team selection across a range of sports.
The academy will be based at the Education City Stadium, a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue, which, following the tournament, is now becoming a sporting hub for women and girls. The stadium’s new role is central to QF’s World Cup legacy program, offering tailored sporting amenities and housing female sports clubs and organizations. The Creating Pathways Program is a brilliant concept, anticipated to yield significant results by nurturing the next generation of female sports stars from the country.
