NEWS
A Professor at the University of Bahrain Calls for Investing in Sports to Improve Club Services
Sakhir – University of Bahrain – Mansoor Alwanni
February 22, 2023
Professor of Physical Education at the University of Bahrain, Dr. Faisal Hameed Al-Mulla, called on ports industry manufacturers in Bahrain to invest in the field of sports as one of the forms of alternative investment that many countries of the world seek to engage in. Dr. Al-Mulla stated that, “Sports investment is one the most profitable investments in all countries, as it positively impacts various fields. It is also highly important in terms of increasing revenues and improving the services of clubs and sports institutions.”
In the Bahrain Sports Summit, Prof. Al-Mulla presented a scientific paper, under the theme, “Sports Investment Management in Sports Clubs as an Indicator of Achieving Self-Financing”, organized by Bahrain General Sports Authority on 4-9 February 2023, under the patronage of First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), President of the General Sports Authority (GSA), President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Al-Mulla stressed, “To ensure success of sustainable investment in competitive sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain, several elements shall be provided, including establishing high quality sporting infrastructure and facilities, raising investment awareness among investors, and providing positive economic and social investment environment.”
Prof. Al-Mulla confirmed that the success and sustainability of investment in sports requires “Providing qualified administrative cadres and strengthening the sports market to provide elements necessary to encourage investors to invest in sports clubs and institutions for the benefit of both parties.”
Prof. Al-Mulla added, “The success of investment requires enacting proper laws and legislation that stimulate investment. This includes the Sports Law and the internal regulations of sports institutions, the establishment of sports and clubs joint stock companies as well as professional sports channels for television broadcasting, in addition to a broad fan base for sports clubs.”
Assistant professor in the Department of Physical Education, College of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Bahrain, Dr. Inaam Majeed George, participated in the “Bahrain Sports Summit”, as a member of the recommendations committee. The participants recommended formation of a committee of experts under the supervision of the General Sports Authority to conduct the necessary research studies to amend and develop legislation to help Bahraini clubs to gradually transform into investment companies, review assessment criteria for Bahraini sports clubs to include diversification of sources of income and develop the performance of administrative and technical cadres.
Participants in the summit, which was attended by several academic staff of the College of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Bahrain, discussed three issues that could contribute to the advancement of Bahraini sports; namely sports investment, artificial intelligence in sports, and developing sports performance.