Your Excellency Dr Hanan Al-Kuwari,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very pleased to join this launch of the report “Changing the game: strengthening health and well-being through sports events”.

The report is one fruit of the partnership between the State of Qatar, WHO and FIFA which aimed to create a lasting legacy out of Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It reflects our shared commitment to leveraging the power of sport to enhance public health.

Sport brings people together and goes hand in hand with health, helping people all over the world – people of different abilities and ages – live happier, healthier and more productive lives.

I would like to congratulate Qatar for its pioneering role in hosting a major sporting event and using that opportunity to showcase how sports can drive positive health outcomes.

The 2022 World Cup was held during peak season for respiratory disease transmission and was the first major sporting event to be held during a global pandemic. Against this challenging backdrop, the Healthy 2022 World Cup project proved an outstanding success.

Hundreds of thousands of people who came to Doha to watch the World Cup benefited from awareness-raising activities and campaigns that addressed issues like nutrition, mental health, tobacco and physical activity. This will all help to ensure that the impact of sports extends beyond the playing field and will foster a culture of health and well-being for generations to come.

Thank you.