Aspetar World Conference 2025 Kicks Off in Doha, Cementing Qatar’s Leadership in Global Sports Medicine

The Aspetar World Conference 2025, the leading international event in sports medicine, launched today at the Aspire Dome with participation from over 1,000 specialists representing 74 countries from around the world.

The conference opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mr. Mansour bin Ibrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, and His Excellency Mr. Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director General of Hamad Medical Corporation, alongside many prominent medical and academic figures from Qatar and the international sports medicine community.

Opening Address

In his opening remarks, Mr. Khalid bin Ali Al Mawlawi, Acting Director General of Aspetar Hospital, emphasized Aspetar's pioneering role as an advanced global center in sports medicine and its distinguished contribution to attracting international expertise while enhancing Qatar's position in both sports medicine and medical tourism.

Al Mawlawi stated: "This conference embodies Aspetar's leading position on the international stage and our ongoing mission to promote excellence, innovation, and collaboration in athlete health and performance. Over the next three days, more than a thousand participants from over seventy-four countries will gather here to exchange knowledge and science, sharing the latest research developments, medical advances, and innovative practices that push the boundaries of this field to new horizons."

He continued: "At Aspetar, we take pride in being more than just a hospital; we have become a reference for knowledge and a platform for global collaboration, working with our international partners to innovate new pathways that contribute to improving athlete care and raising sports medicine standards worldwide."

Al Mawlawi also announced in his address that Aspetar will host the International Rehabilitation Conference in 2026 and the second edition of the Aspetar Global Conference in 2027, coinciding with Aspetar's twentieth anniversary celebration. This further strengthens Qatar's position as a major destination for medical tourism in the region.

Dr. Abdulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari, CEO of Aspetar and Conference President, expressed his pride in the organizational efforts that contributed to delivering a distinguished scientific program, praising Aspetar's leadership in pushing the boundaries of research and innovation in sports medicine on a global level.

IOC and FIFA in the Highlights of Day One

The first day featured a series of ground breaking scientific lectures covering crucial topics. Among the most prominent was a keynote by Professor Jane Thornton from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), focusing on health priorities for Olympians and the IOC’s strategic efforts to protect and enhance athlete health. Professor Thornton called on the global sports community to actively engage in these initiatives aimed at building a healthier world through sport.

Additionally, Dr. Andrew Massey, FIFA’s Medical Director, alongside Dr. Guido Pieles from Aspetar, presented on FIFA’s medical approach to injury prevention. Their session outlined strategies for tournament preparation and cardiac screening for youth football players, emphasizing the importance of implementing these medical protocols to safeguard players’ long-term health.

Other sessions highlighted the latest innovations in foot and ankle surgery for elite athletes, integration of biomechanics and neuroscience in football medicine, and cutting-edge advances in cartilage surgery. Aspetar’s experts presented in-depth analyses of the benefits and risks of these surgical techniques, their impact on athletic performance, and recovery enhancement. Furthermore, participants explored the pioneering integration of biomechanical and neurological sciences to improve injury prevention and athletic outcomes in football.

Extensive Media Coverage

Day one attracted broad media interest, with over 50 local and international media outlets covering the event. This robust media presence underscores the conference’s stature as a premier global platform driving the advancement of sports medicine.

Ongoing Conference Activities

The conference will continue over the next two days with specialized sessions and workshops offering practical opportunities for researchers and practitioners alike. The program aims to foster innovation and elevate athlete health and performance across various sports, reinforcing Aspetar and Doha’s status as global hubs for sports medicine excellence and innovation.

Accompanying Exhibition

An international exhibition is being held alongside the conference, featuring key partners and sponsors from leading companies and organizations in sports medicine. The exhibition witnessed significant engagement on the first day, as attendees took advantage of the opportunity to explore the latest technologies, innovations, and solutions in sports healthcare. The interaction between participants and sponsors provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange and professional networking within this dynamic and vital field.