The UAE Ministry of Sports has officially launched ‘Sportifai’, an advanced digital platform designed to serve as the cornerstone of the UAE’s digital transformation in sports. The announcement was made during a high-level workshop titled ‘Driving Digital Transformation in the UAE Sports Sector’, attended by key stakeholders, including Ministry of Sports officials, national Sports Federations’ leaders, and technical and administrative staff.
The workshop, which marked the official introduction of Sportifai, emphasized the platform’s role in implementing a new AI-driven national framework to elevate sports governance, enhance data-driven decision-making, and support the identification and development of athletic talent.
H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, stated:
“The launch of Sportifai marks a transformative shift in our sports ecosystem. This platform enhances smart governance, boosts performance metrics, and promotes better collaboration among National Sports Councils, Federations, and Clubs — all critical for enhancing the competitiveness of national sports.”
Sportifai provides an integrated suite of digital services, enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies, offering a centralized ecosystem for all stakeholders. It aligns with the National Sports Strategy 2031 and will operate under a dedicated entity chaired by H.E. Dr. Al Falasi, which will steer the national digital transformation in the sports sector.
The platform incorporates features aimed at:
- Simplifying access to services
- Reducing bureaucracy in line with the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme
- Providing real-time, reliable data
- Enhancing operational efficiency
- Promoting innovation
H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, highlighted the platform’s comprehensive athlete lifecycle support, including tools for advanced data management, talent identification, and performance analysis. He noted that the next phase will involve empowering sports professionals through digital analytics, boosting entrepreneurship, and cultivating start-ups in sports technology.
H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness, unveiled the platform’s brand identity, reaffirming that Sportifai is a tool to ease administrative burden and allow sports professionals to focus on technical and competitive excellence.
“Sportifai is more than a platform—it’s a strategic enabler of growth. By providing digitally analyzable data and reducing manual workloads, Federation staff can dedicate more effort to athlete performance and talent sustainability,” said H.E. Sheikh Suhail.
The event was divided into two workshop sessions:
- The first, for Federation presidents, presented an in-depth walkthrough of Sportifai, outlining its role in achieving organizational excellence and fostering a unified sports governance system.
- The second, attended by technical and administrative staff, introduced the ‘Talent Identification Platform’. This tool offers a centralized digital record to monitor athletes from grassroots to elite levels, enhancing partnerships between government institutions and Federations.
Originally conceptualized in March 2025, the Digital Transformation and Sports Innovation Platform emerged from a strategic partnership with the UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) and was launched under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE NOC.
Key strategic partnerships supporting the platform include:
- The UAE National Olympic Committee – aligning initiatives with Olympic frameworks
- The UAE Committee for Elite Sports – supporting competitive sports excellence
- The UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support – establishing clear pathways for talent development
In addition, national committees, Federations, clubs, and academies at every level — from grassroots to professional — will play a role in the ecosystem. The private sector and technology firms are also invited to contribute innovative solutions, especially in the areas of data analytics and sports technology.
As the UAE accelerates toward the objectives outlined in the National Sports Strategy 2031, Sportifai is positioned to be a pivotal player, ensuring the sports sector evolves in step with the latest global practices in digital transformation and athlete development.
V.2 Editorial Team
