Minister of Sports and Youth
His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani
His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani was appointed as Minister of Sports and Youth in January 2024.
Career
His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, Minister of Sports and Youth, currently holds several positions, including board member of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy since 2011, AFC Executive Committee member and FIFA Council member since 2023. His Excellency the Minister of Sports and Youth has been serving as the President of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation since 2012 and as Chairman of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Local Organising Committee.
His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani’s career in sports began as a football player with Al Tadamon SC between 1988 and 1992 and with the Qatar Youth Football Team between 1988 and 1990. His Excellency also joined Al Rayyan SC between 1992 and 1994.
Additionally, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani was Director of Al Rayyan FC between 1996 and 1998 and Director of Planning at the QOC between 1999 and 2006. He was a member of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Board of Directors between 1997 and 2004, and Vice President from 2004 to 2005.
As President of the QFA between 2005 and 2023, His Excellency the Minister of Sports served on the FIFA Member Associations Committee between 2006 and 2012. In 2007, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani was appointed as Chairman of the AFC Asian Cup 2011™ Local Organising Committee.
Following that, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani served as a member of the provisional AFC Professional Football Committee from 2008 to 2011 and as President of the Qatar Stars League between 2008 and 2023.
His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani also served as an advisor to the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee between 2016 and 2023 and Chairman of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Local Organising Committee between 2019 and 2022.
Education
His Excellency the Minister of Sports and Youth holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration from Qatar University.
Responsibilities
His Excellency the Minister of Sports and Youth has overall responsibility for all Ministry of Sports and Youth issues, including:
- Regulating licenses for the forming of sports and youth centres
- Increasing awareness of sports and youth activities
- Liaising with relevant parties to support sports and youth in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030