Global sports personalities & ministers to be on panel at major industry conference - programme set

Record breaking balloonist Dr Bertrand Piccard will deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the QSi 2004 week of activities on the evening of Sunday 4th April, reflecting upon his unique achievements as the first man to circumnavigate the world in a hot air balloon. Apart from Dr Piccard's global reputation in the world of aviation, his career as a leading psychiatrist adds depth to his presentation along with his work with the Winds of Hope charity.

The "QNB QSi 2004 World Sports Conference" sets out to debate issues relevant to the region's sports industry ahead of the Gulf state's hosting of the Asian Games in 2006. The event enjoys its second run under the patronage of the President of the Qatar National Olympic Committee (QNOC), His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QSi is the international marketing, events management & business development office of the QNOC established by the QNOC President in 2001.

The conference programme is managed in partnership with Swiss based international experts, World Sports Forum, an association linked to the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry ( WFSGI ) the platform of the world's leading sports manufacturers and brands such as Mizuno, Adidas, Reebok, Asics, Puma, New Balance and Nike.

The first QSi conference, held in 2002 and also sponsored by leading local financial institution, Qatar National Bank, proved highly successful, attracting an audience of over 500 people. Perry Smith, Director International Relations & Marketing at QSi, said "Given the high international standard we set at the inaugural QSi Conference, with its relaxed interactive debating format and leading international sports panellists, we are confident of an equally large audience this time round given our pedigree and the enhancement of our speaker programme for this event."

Andre Gorgemans, Secretary General of the WFSGI and director of the World Sports Forum, pointed out that the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) owners of the Asian Games, underlining their support of Doha 2006, will be hosting their own senior management committee meetings in parallel to the QSi Conference in Doha. "With senior OCA members and representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) set to attend QSi" said Gorgemans, "this year's QSi event is an extremely attractive networking opportunity for a wide variety of global sporting interests, including prospective host countries."

The conference programme will feature topical sports issues, being discussed daily by a panel of experts with radically differing views. Key items on the agenda include "The Power of Sport", focusing on the impact of sport on the economic, social and political interests of a nation or host city. "Sports Events as a Foundation of Sustainable Success" will explore how major sports events can be used for broader strategic economic development. However, predicted to be the most lively topic will be "Women in Sports". Said Gorgemans, "the issue proved so popular at the first QSi conference in 2002, that it had to be included again in order that the advances made there in understanding the complex issues, were sustained."

In addition to Dr Piccard and the French Minister, other expert panellists include, Ms Faezeh Hashemi, President of the Islamic Countries Women's Sports Federation, IOC member & Olympic medallist Mrs Nawal El Moutawakel, US Sports TV commentator Donna de Verona who also advises her government on sports issues, Willie Banks former world record holder in triple jump and three time Olympian and Ada Kok, twice Olympic Gold medallist & ambassador to famous Speedo brand. Other international experts from Formula One and international football, are expected to confirm their attendance.

Perry Smith added, "in keeping with His Highness' wishes to maximise the spread of international sporting knowledge and experience, the QSi Conference is free to members of Qatar's sports clubs & by personal invitation of QSi".