Under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zein Al-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President of the University for Community Affairs and Environmental Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Middle East Research and Future Studies Center, and within the framework of the 2023-2024 cultural season of the Middle East Research and Future Studies Center, the Center held a symposium entitled (The Economic Impact of Sports “Global Indicators - Growth Requirements”).

The symposium was moderated by Dr. Hatem Al-Abd, Director of the Center, and the lecture was given by Dr. Abdullah Mustafa Faramawy, lecturer of sports management at the Faculty of Physical Education for Boys at Helwan University, and head of the Sports Studies Division at the center.

The symposium was started by Dr. Al-Abd welcomed the audience, and then His Excellency stressed the importance of sports to the national economy, as sports have attracted investments amounting to billions of dollars in various countries of the world, which has had a tangible impact on the economies of countries, to the point that a court specialized in sports affairs has been established. Hence, it becomes clear how important it is for the state to direct all its sectors towards supporting the sports economy in a way that benefits our beloved Egypt.

Moreover, Dr. Abdullah Faramawy praised the interest of Ain Shams University in particular in the various sports sectors. Then, His Excellency reviewed the traditional definition of sports, whether collective or individual, and the developments that have occurred in it in the last two decades, as it has transformed into a complete system with its own tangible and moral inputs and outputs. Hence, the economic definition of sports emerged with the European Union countries realizing the economic importance of sports since 2006, which prompted countries to develop a unified system and approach for dealing with sports.

Dr. Faramawy discussed the three definitions of sports, which are the statistical definition, the limited definition, and the comprehensive definition. His Excellency also discussed the most important components of the sports industry, such as sports tourism, trade in sports goods, recreational sports and sports medicine, as well as the most important sources of financing various sports activities, and methods for their management.

Also, Dr. Abdullah, reviewed the requirements necessary to achieve growth in the sports economy, the most important of which are developing a strategy to localize sports industries, developing a supportive legislative structure through the enactment of regulatory laws, and establishing a strong sports infrastructure such as sports stadiums and popular arenas, which would encourage young people and investors to launch startup companies. Specialized in sponsoring sports activities and pumping investments in this field. At the end of the symposium, the discussion was opened for the attendees and all their inquiries were answered.