Manama, Bahrain, October 30, 2022: The Chair of the Olympic Council of Asia’s Gender Equity Committee, Sheikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa has underlined the importance of education, identifying it as a key factor in empowering women in the bid for gender equity in sports.
Speaking on the opening day of the OCA Gender Equity Seminar in Bahrain, Sheikha Hayat revealed that in its bid to advance the cause of gender equity in sports, the Olympic Council of Asia has integrated education and training into a dedicated programme for women.
“When we speak about gender equity in sport, we must speak about education and awareness which are the two key components in achieving these goals at all levels from grassroots to elite sports,” Sheikha Hayat noted in her opening message at the two-day seminar hosted by the Bahrain Olympic Committee under the auspices of the OCA.
“The OCA has therefore integrated education and training into sports strategies, including women’s sports with a dedicated programme to empower women and ensure gender equity,” she noted.
One of the key-note speakers on the opening day of the ground-breaking gender equity seminar, Sheikha Hayat paid tribute to the vision of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Vice President of Supreme Council of Youth & Sport Authority and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee under whose patronage the conference is being held.
“Shaikh Khalid’s patronage of our seminar reaffirms His Highness’ unlimited support for sports in general, and women sports in particular,” Sheikha Hayat said.
She added: “When we refer to gender equality, we understand that it includes the right to practise sports for both men and women which means equal opportunities at all levels starting from grassroots which is the fundamental base of every strategy to ensure sustainability.”
