News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE Ministry of Sports has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ASPIRE and Phygital International to accelerate the development of phygital sports in the country, reinforcing the UAE’s ambition to become a global centre for next-generation sporting innovation.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Phygital Sports Summit, hosted in Abu Dhabi in parallel with the Games of the Future 2025 (GOTF), which brought together leading global experts, athletes, innovators and policymakers to explore the future of sport at the intersection of physical performance and digital technology.
Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports, signed the MoU on behalf of the ministry. The non-binding framework establishes structured cooperation between the three entities to develop, promote and institutionalise phygital sports across the UAE’s national sports ecosystem.
“This MoU represents a key milestone in advancing future sports in the UAE,” Sheikh Suhail said. “It builds on the success of the Games of the Future 2025 hosted by Abu Dhabi, supported by our wise leadership and marked by the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Our vision is to establish an integrated and sustainable framework for phygital sports that combines innovation, technology and structured athlete development pathways.”
He added that the partnership aligns closely with the National Sports Strategy 2031, focusing on innovation, youth empowerment and enhanced international cooperation.
Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, described the agreement as a significant step forward. “This partnership is about institutionalising the future of sport. By combining technology, performance and human potential, the UAE is positioning itself as a global testbed for next-generation sports and talent development.”
Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, said the collaboration reflects a shared belief in the future of sport. “Together, we are strengthening a global phygital ecosystem that nurtures talent, advances innovation and supports the sustainable growth of phygital sport worldwide.”
Under the MoU, the partners will explore hosting recurring international editions of the Games of the Future in the UAE, organising an international summit on future sports governance and innovation, and developing a nationwide network of phygital centres focused on training, youth development, refereeing and community competitions.
A central feature of the agreement is the creation of the HITS Hub (High Innovative Tech Sports), a national research and innovation platform dedicated to phygital sports technologies, intellectual property development and testing of emerging disciplines.
ASPIRE will oversee national coordination and strategic integration within the ATRC innovation ecosystem, while Phygital International will provide Games of the Future intellectual property, technical standards and global competition expertise. The Ministry of Sports will ensure alignment with national policies, athlete development pathways and international standards.
The partnership signals a major step in the UAE’s long-term vision to lead the global future sports movement.
