Ministry of Sports strengthens phygital sports through strategic partnership with Aspire and Phygital International
The UAE Ministry of Sports has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aspire and Phygital International to advance the development of phygital sports in the country. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Phygital Sports Summit, hosted in Abu Dhabi alongside the Games of the Future 2025.
The summit brought together international experts, athletes, innovators and decision-makers to explore the evolution of phygital sports, which combine physical competition with digital technologies. The newly signed MoU establishes a non-binding framework for collaboration between the three entities, building on the successful hosting of the Games of the Future 2025 in the UAE.
Signed by H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports, the agreement aims to position the UAE as a global hub for phygital and future sports. It supports long-term talent development, innovation and international engagement, in line with national sports policies, youth empowerment initiatives and innovation strategies.
Sheikh Suhail described the agreement as a milestone in the UAE’s future sports journey, noting that it reflects the Ministry’s vision to establish a sustainable and integrated framework for phygital sports that combines technology, innovation and structured athlete development. He added that the partnership aligns with the National Sports Strategy 2031 and strengthens the UAE’s global standing in next-generation sports.
Stephane Timpano, CEO of Aspire, said the collaboration represents the institutionalisation of the future of sport, leveraging technology, performance and human potential. He added that building on the momentum of the Games of the Future 2025 positions the UAE as a global testing ground for innovative sports models and talent development systems.
Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, highlighted that the partnership reflects a shared belief in the convergence of physical performance and digital innovation. He said the collaboration would help strengthen a global phygital ecosystem, support emerging talent and enable the sustainable growth of phygital sports worldwide.
The MoU outlines several areas of potential collaboration, including hosting recurring international editions of the Games of the Future in the UAE, organising an international summit focused on future sports governance and innovation, and developing a nationwide network of phygital training and talent development centres. These centres would support youth programmes, referee development, community competitions and qualification pathways.
The agreement also includes plans to establish the HITS Hub (High Innovative Tech Sports), a national research and innovation centre dedicated to phygital sports technologies. The hub will focus on intellectual property development, testing emerging disciplines and supporting the operational delivery of future events.
Under the framework, Aspire will lead national coordination and strategic integration through the ATRC innovation ecosystem. Phygital International will provide the Games of the Future intellectual property, technical standards and competition expertise, while the Ministry of Sports will ensure alignment with national policies, athlete development pathways and approved standards, while promoting innovation and international cooperation.
