20th Edition of School Olympic Program to Launch in October

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 10, 2026

Qatar’s School Olympic Program will begin its 20th season this October at Aspire Academy, continuing to promote widespread student involvement in various sports. Building on past successes with over 27,000 participants last year, the program aims to increase engagement and introduce new initiatives to further develop school sports nationwide.

The 20th season of Qatar’s School Olympic Program (SOP) is set to launch in October at the Aspire Academy, organizers announced Wednesday. The program, which has supported school sports and talent development since its inception in the 2007-2008 academic year, aims to further encourage student participation across a broad range of athletic activities.

The organizing committee highlighted that the upcoming edition will build on the progress achieved in previous years, including last season’s participation of over 27,000 male and female students competing in 36 different sports. This milestone reflects the program’s ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Qatar Olympic Committee, various sports federations, and schools.

His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, President of the Qatar School Sports Federation and Chairman of the SOP Organizing Committee, emphasized the program’s significance as a leading initiative for school sports in Qatar. He expressed optimism about achieving record levels of participation this season and noted that the upcoming edition will introduce new elements designed to advance the development of school sports nationally.

"This exceptional edition is expected to surpass previous participation numbers through our strategic partnerships, which align with our goal of cultivating a promising generation to sustain the future of Qatari sports," Sheikh Khalifa stated.

Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Executive Director of the School Olympic Program, described SOP as a key milestone in blending sports with education and embedding Olympic values among younger generations. He added that the new season embodies a refreshed vision and ambitious plans to harness student energy and enthusiasm.

The upcoming season will focus on specific targeted age groups and incorporate developmental strategies aimed at enhancing both the competitive experience and broader engagement in school-level sports. Preparations are now complete, with organizers confident the program will continue to play a central role in Qatar’s sports ecosystem.

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