Abu dhabi: The World Sports Summit, organised by the Dubai Sports Council, hosted a special dinner in New York City alongside the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. This event gathered international sports figures, decision-makers, and leaders from sports, media, and investment sectors, aligning with the Summit's goal to foster dialogue, build partnerships, and envision the future of the sports industry globally.
According to Emirates News Agency, the dinner was one of several initiatives by the World Sports Summit aimed at reinforcing its role as a leading international platform. It offered a venue for exchanging visions and experiences and encouraged cooperation among regional and global sports federations, organizations, government institutions, the private sector, and influential sports industry leaders.
Prominent attendees included Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario, Italian legend Roberto Baggio, Boston Celtics CEO Wycliffe K. Grousbeck, and Wayne Boich, CEO of Reserve Padel. Zoran Lakovic, UEFA Deputy General Secretary for International Affairs, along with various CEOs, investors, and media representatives from leading global sports organizations, also joined the gathering ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, emphasized the importance of dialogue, idea exchange, and partnership building in shaping the future of sports. He noted that the World Sports Summit continues to play a leading role as an international platform, facilitating the development of the sports system worldwide and opening new avenues for investment and innovation.
This meeting underscores the Summit's commitment to engaging with sports experts globally and fostering strong partnerships. It reflects the belief that sports are a crucial tool for uniting people, building bridges between societies, and contributing to economic and social development, ultimately shaping a sustainable future for sports on a global scale.