
MESIF RIYADH 2026
Returning to the heart of Saudi Arabia, MESIF Riyadh 2026 brings together top-tier sports stakeholders from around the world for a high-impact forum focused on investment opportunities, long-term growth and transformation in the region’s sports, entertainment and tourism sectors.
Held in partnership with the Ministry of Investment and the Ministry of Sport of Saudi Arabia, the event will explore how the region is building a thriving and inclusive sports ecosystem. We will hear from giga projects, governments, sports clubs and federations on their latest investment and regional development strategies. Our discussions will focus on the future of sports technology, infrastructure and major events in the Middle East.
This in-region meeting is the perfect hub for international businesses to connect with local partners and develop meaningful commercial relationships.
WHY ATTEND?
Industry Education and Insights: Gain unique and practical knowledge from leading experts.
121 Meetings: Enjoy exclusive opportunities for one-on-one meetings with top decision-makers.
On the Ground Presence: Develop your Middle East footprint in sports and showcase your unique credentials and commitment to the region.
VIP Experience: Network in a relaxed environment with our exclusive VIP experience.
WHO IS ATTENDING?
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MINISTRIES OF SPORT FROM ACROSS THE REGION.
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LEADING SPORT FEDERATIONS.
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SPORTS CLUBS AND ATHLETES.
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INVESTMENT BODIES.
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SPORT BUSINESS LEADERS.
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LEADING SPORTS BRANDS.
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SPORT INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIALISTS.
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SPORTS INNOVATORS IN DATA AND ENGAGEMENT.
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SPORTS MARKETING & BRANDING EXECUTIVES.
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BROADCASTERS, MEDIA PERSONALITIES AND PRESS.

150+ DELEGATES
VIP EXPERIENCE
35+ SPEAKERS

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Mansour Al Mokbel is the the new CEO at the Saudi Motorsports Company.
Mansour continues to also serve as the General Manager for Investments in the Ministry of Sport. He is responsible for catalysing investment-led growth in the sport sector through private sector participation. He leads a team that not only creates investment opportunities, but also enables a conducive environment for the private sector to profitably engage and flourish. Simultaneously, he leads monetization of infrastructure and assets of the Ministry and the commercialization of Ministry’s events and activities.
Prior to joining the Ministry of Sport, he served as the General Director for Delivery in the Ministry of Defence, leading a successful transformation program.
Mansour holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering from King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals and his Executive MBA from the George Washington University. He also has a Certificate in Management (CiM) from London Business School and Managing Successful Programmes MSP® Practitioner Certificate.

A seasoned executive with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation, Ahmed serves as the Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer at Sela. Since the inception of Sela, he has played a pivotal role in shaping its trajectory and securing strategic partnerships with renowned global brands. Leveraging his deep expertise in international business, Ahmed has successfully positioned Sela as a global market leader.
His unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients, coupled with his innovative approach to business development, has propelled Sela to the forefront of its industry.
As a strategic visionary, Ahmed is adept at identifying emerging trends and capitalizing on local and international growth opportunities. His ability to navigate complex business environments and execute on ambitious initiatives has been instrumental in Sela's success.
Through his leadership, Sela has consistently exceeded expectations and established itself as a trusted partner to clients worldwide.


Shireen is a Senior Principal at Populous and a member of the firm’s Global Board of Directors. Fluent in Arabic, she oversees Populous’ Middle East operations and is leading major sports and entertainment projects including Aramco Stadium, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium and King Salman International Stadium - all potential 2034 World Cup venues. Her experience spans global stadium, arena and convention centre design, including work at Wimbledon’s Centre Court and Court 1. Shireen frequently speaks on sports design as a catalyst for urban development, reflecting research she began with the UNHCR on high-density urban resilience.


Dr. Kam Al-Mazrui leads Mott MacDonald’s sport and event infrastructure initiatives across the Middle East, driving Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to make the Kingdom a global centre for world class sports and large-scale events. He brings together government bodies, private developers and local communities to offer strategic advice, master plans and seamless delivery of complex programmes that uplift communities.
His multidisciplinary experience spans urban mega-projects and premier sports destinations across the region, including stadiums, arenas and sports parks designed to inspire healthier lifestyles. His proven ability to forge high-performing partnerships and plan for long-term use so that every facility meets international standards while promoting social inclusion, attracting visitors and driving economic growth.
Driven by a passion for transforming bold ideas into landmark destinations, Dr. Kam is committed to shaping the future of sports and events in Saudi Arabia and beyond, creating lasting legacies that align with the long-term visions of the region.

Dr. Fatema Al Sulaiti is a recognized global voice in cultural diplomacy and international cultural policy. Her work focuses on positioning culture as a strategic driver of dialogue, innovation, and global cooperation.
As Director of International Cooperation and Government Affairs at Qatar Museums, Dr. Fatema leads major cultural diplomacy initiatives and international partnerships that amplify Qatar’s cultural presence worldwide. She plays a central role in advancing UNESCO related projects and building long-term frameworks for collaboration with governments, cultural institutions, and multilateral bodies.
A published author and researcher, Dr. Fatema contributes to international discussions on cultural heritage, cultural governance, and policy development. Her academic engagements spanning teaching, lecturing, and supervising research at leading universities reflect her commitment to nurturing the next generation of cultural professionals.
Dr. Fatema is also a sought-after international keynote speaker, invited by global organizations such as UNESCO, UN Tourism, and several prominent universities. Her interventions highlight the role of culture across key global sectors, including tourism, education, sustainability, innovation, and creative industries. She is known for offering a forward-looking perspective on how culture can inform global agendas and respond to contemporary challenges.
Dr. Fatema’s leadership continues to shape the global cultural landscape, reinforcing culture as a cornerstone of sustainable development, international engagement, and shared human understanding.

Fatema Masoud Hayat is a Kuwaiti sports leader and strategist with extensive experience in organizational development, governance, and international relations. She currently serves as the Director of International Relations and Cooperation at the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA), where she plays a pivotal role in fostering global sports collaboration among the 57 National Olympic Committees of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.
Since 2019, Hayat has been an elected board member of the Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC), where she also leads the Women’s Committee, championing initiatives that have significantly advanced women’s sports in Kuwait. In addition, she serves as the Chair of the GCC Women’s Sports Advisory Committee, promoting regional cooperation and the empowerment of women in sport across the Gulf.
Hayat has represented Kuwait on the international stage as Chef de Mission for national delegations at various major sporting events, including the Olympic Games, GCC Games, Islamic Solidarity Games, and the Asian Games. She is also a board member and Chair of the Women’s Football Committee at the Kuwait Football Association (KFA), where she collaborates with FIFA to develop and promote women’s football and futsal in Kuwait.
She holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs, with a concentration in Governance and Rights, and has long been an advocate for sports as a tool for empowerment. Her activism includes involvement in Kuwait’s women’s suffrage movement.
Hayat has been invited to speak at globally recognized events such as FIFA’s Women’s Football Convention and UEFA’s Women in Football Leadership Programme, further solidifying her reputation as a prominent voice in the global sports community.

A distinguished marketing and branding leader, Mohammed J. Basrawi brings over 16 years of extensive experience cultivated across sectors such as education, real estate, FMCG, hospitality, and sports. In his current role as General Manager of Marketing Communications & Content (MARCOM & Content) for the Saudi Pro League (SPL), Mohammed spearheads initiatives to enhance the league's profile, reputation, content strategy, and audience engagement. He has been instrumental in building the MARCOM & Content departments from the ground up, shaping comprehensive marketing strategies, establishing brand guidelines, executing digital campaigns, and bolstering media relations.
Before joining SPL, Mohammed directed the Internal Transformation Management Office at the Ministry of Sport (2020-2024), where he successfully orchestrated a major organizational transformation aligned with the Ministry's evolving mandate, leveraging his expertise in strategic communication and branding. His prior experience includes significant contributions at Emaar, The Economic City (KAEC) between 2018 and 2020, where he held pivotal roles in tourism, retail, leisure marketing, and destination management.



Basim K. Ibrahim, CLSS, CIPM, is passionate about the opportunities for sport development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is a seasoned Investment Attraction & Development Manager with 20 years of diverse professional experience in Investment, IT, Training, Project Management, and Research.
A former Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum, Basim is a member of various professional organizations. He founded BMA Engineering in 2011 and co-founded BoardMaps in 2015, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit.
His extensive international experience includes roles with INSPUR in China and CONCO in South Africa. Basim was a pivotal member of the joint technical team between SAP and Saudi Aramco from 2000 to 2005. Passionate about volunteering and dedicated to serving his country, Basim is a dynamic leader in the field of Business and Investment Development.

Hani Taleb Ballan is the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Stars League (QSL), the highest tier of professional football league in Qatar.
Additionally, he holds the positions of Board Member of Qatar Football Association (QFA), Chairman of QFA Referees Committee, Member of Executive Committee of QFA and QSL, Deputy Chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee and Chairperson of Asian Football Confederation’s Referees Committee, among others.
Hani’s vast experience at various levels of the game has seen him play key roles on the organizational front. He has had a long career as a FIFA referee as well.
He oversees the QSL’s goal to keep delivering high-quality competitive football entertainment by raising the playing standards of all teams through higher performance. It assumes more significance as QSL is keen to attain new standards of professionalism inside the institution and all club companies, inspire greater engagement across all sections of Qatari society and be recognized as a leading, progressive Qatari institution in terms of corporate leadership.
Hani’s educational qualifications comprise a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Oxford Brooks University and Pre-Masters Diploma in Project Management from the Lille University of Science and Technology.
His office is situated in the Iconic 2022 Building – Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar.

Aphrodite Moschoudi is an accomplished professional with expertise in major sports projects and events. Her career highlights include extensive involvement in bidding, strategic planning and delivery of major events, including the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Arab Games, FIFA World Cup, FIFA Arab Cup, Asian Cup, World Championships in Athletics and IPC Para-Athletics. She has also been instrumental in setting up key sport projects such as the Schools Olympic Programme, the Olympic & Sport Museum, the National Sport Day as well as sport investments and partnerships.
During her time at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Aphrodite led the Planning & Integration of Host Country Operations for the FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, to include the tournament readiness and ultimately the delivery of the Main Operations Centre as the central point of command.
Aphrodite’s approach is that talent and technical expertise are not sufficient and should be complemented by positive spirit, practical thinking, human relations and ethos all the way.
Aphrodite is now working at Qatar Tourism as a Director of Planning and Quality.

In addition to his role in the Ministry of Sport, Abdullah acquires over a decade of an enriched, diversified experience in Private & Public sectors. Starting from the Banking industry in the Cash Management field with an exposure on Operations, Business Implementation, Product Creation & Management, to contributing into building the Strategic Partnership foundation with the private sector throughout his career in LCGPA.
Abdullah has a successful track record of building strong, sustainable partnerships with the private sector & state-owned companies, launching new innovative products into the market, and managing national initiatives which serves the national strategies.

Stephanie Al Naber is a former professional football player with a distinguished career for over 15 years, having played professionally in Denmark, Lebanon, and the UAE before retiring in 2020. Currently, she holds several influential roles within the football community, including serving as a Board Member and Head of the Women's Committee at the Jordan Football Association. Additionally, she holds a position on the Women's Committee Board at both the West Asian Football Federation and the Asian Football Confederation. In addition to her administrative roles, she is the Sporting Director of Etihad Club Jordan, which participates in top-tier competitions for both male and female teams. Beyond the field, she is the co-founder and COO of Kabaten, a sports tech company dedicated to revolutionizing the sports industry through advanced data collection and management systems. Her career reflects a deep commitment to promoting and developing football at all levels.

Oman’s Nader Nasser Hamood Al Rawahy is seconded to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth from the Sultanate’s “Oman’s Vision 2040” Ministry where he leads Operational Excellence for Oman’s strategic development roadmap “Oman Vision 2040”.
Since its endorsement in September 2015, Oman has emphasized aligning its national priorities with the UN's sustainable development objectives through Oman Vision 2040. As part of this initiative, there is a focus on real estate such as the waterfront Sports City in the South Al Batinah governorate, The Sustainable City YITI and renewable energy projects, particularly hydrogen and green hydrogen production.
Nader is an expert in inward investment and economic development. His expertise spans audit, advisory, and structuring. Prior to this role, Nader amassed over 20 years of experience at KPMG and EY. He is also the founder and board member of the Association of Chartered Accountants of Oman, a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and a Certified Fraud Examiner.


Nasser Al Khori, Executive Director at Generation Amazing Foundation, leads the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022's social legacy initiative. He focuses on sports for social development in underprivileged areas, including work with refugees and IDPs. Nasser, with significant non-profit experience, has formed crucial partnerships and is part of the UNESCO Chair in sport governance. He holds an MBA in Educational Leadership from UCL and a BSc from Carnegie Mellon University.

Faisal Mohammed Bin Homran is the Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), a global leader in the development and growth of the esports and gaming industry and host of the annual Esports World Cup (EWC). He plays a key role in shaping the EWC event and festival experience, fan engagement, and driving EWC’s global growth of esports as a global sport.
Previously, he served as Chief Esports Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), where he helped position Saudi Arabia as a global esports hub. He oversaw Gamers Without Borders, the world’s largest esports charity event, and led the development of Saudi eLeagues and national esports clubs.
With a background in information systems engineering, Bin Homran entered professional gaming in 2009 before earning a master’s in entrepreneurship and business development from the University of Westminster, UK. With over a decade in business development and esports operations, he remains a driving force in the industry’s global expansion.

Marwan Albazie serves as the Deputy CEO of the Islamic Solidarity Games Local Organizing Committee. With a pivotal role in the mega events sector since 2018, Marwan has significantly influenced the landscape of sports events.
He has successfully led and orchestrated high-profile events, including Formula E and Rage on the Red Sea. Additionally, Marwan has been instrumental in the execution of major events such as Formula 1, the Diriyah Season, and the Dakar Rally, showcasing his expertise and commitment to excellence in the field.

A senior Human Resources executive with over 18 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector, Maha has a strong track record in building and transforming Human Capital functions to operate as strategic business partners. She has led the design and implementation of HR operating models, people strategies, policies, and workforce initiatives that directly support organizational growth and corporate strategy.
Currently serving as Director General of Human Capital at Saudi EXIM Bank. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Human Capital at Saudi Payments (Saudi Central Bank), and other organizations such as HSBC and SAB.
She also serves on several boards and nomination and remuneration committees, including the Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation, AlJazira Capital, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, and Osool and Bakheet.
More To Be Announced Soon!
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MESIF Riyadh provides a unique platform to mix business discussions with VIP networking. In 2025 delegates were treated to a private protocol tour and VIP dinner in Diriyah - the birthplace of Saudi Arabia. These exclusive relaxed activities provide a great opportunity to develop impactful partnerships and relationships.
Set within the exclusive Ministry of Investment headquarters, MESIF Riyadh 2026 places participants at the heart of Saudi Arabia's sports investment vision. The venue offers a one-of-a-kind setting for senior leaders to engage in high-level discussions with leading governmental and private sector stakeholders.
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