Doha: A five-day executive training programme, Sports Diplomacy, organised by Qatar Olympic Academy (QOA) in association with INSEEC University, has ended.
QOA President and Qatar Olympic Committee General Secretary Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani addressed the concluding session and presented participation certificates to officials from sports federations and clubs who successfully completed the course.
Ibrahim Khalil Al Jefairi, Executive Director, QOA, had inaugurated the workshop on Sunday at Qatar Olympic Academy Building. It aimed to keep Qatari officials abreast of updates on sport diplomacy and initiatives related to sport and diplomacy and enhance links between them.
The workshop covered topics ranging from global governance of sports to political lobbying in sports. Former sportsmen and academics, involved with sports in different capacities, were resource persons. On the final day, former French football manager Gerard Houllier gave an overview of sports diplomacy.
His past clubs include Paris Saint-Germain, RC Lens and Liverpool, with whom he won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001. He then guided Olympique Lyonnais to two French titles, before announcing resignation on 25 May 2007.
Serge Valentine, former professional athlete-turned-Olympic coach for France at Los Angeles and Seoul Olympic Games, was also present. The Peninsula
