Qatar Olympic Academy

What Qatar Olympic Academy does

Qatar Olympic Academy (QOA) is a non-profit educational institution established in 2006 in Doha, Qatar, operating as the educational arm of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC). It is the first institution in the Middle East and North Africa to offer accredited Olympic and sports management education, and is governed by a board chaired by H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the QOC, with executive leadership under Executive Director Khalil Ibrahim Al Jaber. Its programs serve sports administrators, current and former athletes, government and federation officials, and regional participants from the GCC and broader Arab world.

The academy's portfolio is structured in three tiers: (1) the Master in Sport Law delivered in partnership with the University of Lleida and accredited by Qatar's Ministry of Education; (2) the flagship Advanced Sport Management Diploma (Diploma in Management of Olympic Sport Organizations), awarded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Solidarity across seven modules; and (3) a Diverse Courses portfolio of short certificates spanning sports digitalization, sustainability in sports events, physical activity and autism, and — most recently — Generative AI for Sports Leaders in collaboration with Google Cloud. The technology stack is a blended delivery model combining in-person instruction at the Al Gharaffa campus — featuring lecture halls, an Olympic library of thousands of printed sources, and an auditorium with simultaneous Arabic-English translation — with e-learning components and a Matterport virtual tour.

Commercially, QOA monetizes primarily through one-time program fees (e.g., the diploma priced at 10,950 QAR / approximately $3,000 plus a 3,000 QAR registration fee), supplemented by Master's program tuition routed through University of Lleida. Distribution is direct and field-led via the campus and website registration, with a partner referral channel feeding from national federations and international Olympic bodies. The institution is non-profit, depends on the QOC for institutional subsidy, and does not disclose revenue or external funding.

Name

Qatar Olympic Academy

Legal name

Qatar Olympic Academy

Website

https://qoa.qa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Qatar Olympic Academy is the educational arm of the Qatar Olympic Committee, founded in 2006 in Doha, and the first institution in MENA to offer IOC-accredited sports management, sports law, and Olympic education programs. It serves sports administrators, athletes, and government officials across the Gulf, Arab world, and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Referee, Umpire & Coach Education/Certification Academies (MPAKAJAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC)

Keywords

• Sports management education
• Olympic education programs
• Sports law training
• Sports administration courses
• Athletic coaching certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Academic Program Fees: Revenue generated from diploma programs, certificate courses, and diverse courses offered to participants. Programs include the Advanced Diploma in Management of Olympic Sport Organizations (10,950 QAR / approximately 3,000 USD), various certificate programs, and specialized courses in sports management, Olympic values, and coaching.
2. Master's Program Revenue: Revenue from the Master in Sports Law program offered in partnership with University of Lleida and accredited by Qatar's Ministry of Education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Qatar Olympic Academy delivers accredited educational programs in sports management, sports law, and Olympic values to sports professionals, athletes, and administrators from Qatar, the Gulf region, and the broader Arab world. Programs include the Master in Sport Law (in partnership with the University of Lleida), the IOC/Olympic Solidarity-awarded Advanced Sport Management Diploma, and a portfolio of certificate courses covering topics such as sports digitalization, sustainability, and coaching. Courses are delivered through a blended model of in-person instruction at the Doha campus and e-learning components, primarily in Arabic with real-time English translation.

Product overview

Qatar Olympic Academy operates as an educational institution offering a portfolio of sports and Olympic management programs structured across three tiers: (1) postgraduate programs including the Master in Sport Law (delivered with University of Lleida), (2) the Advanced Sport Management Diploma (Diploma in Management of Olympic Sport Organizations) — the flagship 7-module program awarded by the IOC and Olympic Solidarity — and (3) a diverse set of certificate courses under the Diverse Courses banner covering topics such as sports digitalization, sustainability, generative AI for sports leaders, and physical activity and autism. Supporting programs include the Arab Coaches Program and Olympic Values Program, all delivered primarily in Arabic with live simultaneous translation and some programs in English. The Academy's campus features lecture halls, an Olympic library, and an auditorium with real-time interpretation capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master in Sport Law A postgraduate degree program in sport law delivered in partnership with the University of Lleida (Spain), accredited by Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and recognized by the IOC, Olympic Solidarity, OCA, ANOC, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Designed for legal professionals, sports administrators, and government officials working in sports governance.
• Advanced Sport Management Diploma (Diploma in Management of Olympic Sport Organizations) The flagship diploma program awarded by the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity, covering seven modules on organizational management, strategic planning, human resources, finance, marketing, and major event organization. Conferred with IOC and Qatar Olympic Committee signatures. Program cost is 10,950 QAR with a 3,000 QAR registration fee.
• Diverse Courses (Certificate Programs Portfolio) A portfolio of short certificate courses covering topics such as sports digitalization, physical activity and autism, sustainability in sports events, and generative AI for sports leaders, offered in both Arabic and English with live translation.
• Arab Coaches Program A certificate program with an e-learning component under the Arab Coaching Program category, aimed at building sports coaching competencies across the Arab region.
• Olympic Values Program A certificate program focused on Olympic values education, delivered with an e-learning component as part of the Academy's broader educational offerings.
• Generative AI for Sports Leaders A two-day intensive certificate course on generative AI principles and Google Cloud solutions for sports leaders, covering foundation models, prompt engineering, and tools such as Gemini, Vertex AI, and AI Studio, with preparation for the Google Generative AI for Leaders certification exam.
• Sports Digitalization Certificate Course A certificate course covering digitalization trends and their application in sports management, offered as part of the Various Topics Program within the Diverse Courses portfolio.
• Sustainability in Sports Events Certificate Course A certificate course focused on sustainability principles and strategies for organizing major sports events, addressing environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainable event management.
• Physical Activity and Autism Certificate Course A specialized certificate course on physical activity programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, covering communication strategies, behavior management, training techniques, and program design.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 graduates have completed programs since 2008
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and secondary.

• Saudi Olympic AcademyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026A memorandum of understanding was signed between QOA and the Saudi Olympic Academy during the 46th Asian Olympic Committees meeting in Tashkent. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in developing sports training cadres, including exchange of invitations to programs and conferences, joint training courses, workshops, and specialized coach preparation programs.
• International Olympic Committee (IOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IOC is the primary accrediting body for QOA's programs. The Advanced Diploma in Sports Management is awarded by Olympic Solidarity and the IOC, with the IOC President signing diplomas. Programs include Olympic Solidarity-sponsored courses and access to IOC educational resources.
• Olympic SolidaritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOlympic Solidarity collaborates on funding and certifying sports management programs, providing financial support and international accreditation for QOA's diploma programs.
• Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCA signed an agreement in October 2014 enabling QOA to provide training sessions for coaches, referees, and specialists from across Asia. QOA also maintains OCA recognition for its programs.
• International Olympic AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQOA is a member of the International Olympic Academy and collaborates on Olympic education programs and cultural initiatives.
• Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANOC recognizes QOA's sports law master's program as part of its accreditation network.
• Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAS recognizes QOA's Master in Sports Law program, providing international credibility for graduates pursuing sports law careers.
• University of LleidacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwards the Master in Sports Law program in collaboration with QOA. The program is also accredited by Qatar's Ministry of Education and recognized by multiple international Olympic bodies.
• Ministry of Sports and Youth (Qatar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner supporting QOA as the educational arm of Qatar's Olympic movement.
• Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Qatar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredits QOA's Master in Sports Law program and provides institutional oversight.
• Google CloudflagshipTechnology or IntegrationCollaborated with QOA to deliver the Generative AI for Sports Leaders program in June 2026. Google Cloud provides authorized trainers and certification preparation for the Google Generative AI for Leaders credential.
• World AthleticssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational federation partner providing technical expertise and program support for athletics-related education.
• International Weightlifting Federation (IWF)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational federation partner supporting weightlifting-specific education and training programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Johan Cruyff Institute: Barcelona-based institute offering master's and certificate programs in sports management, marketing, and law. Comparable in offering postgraduate and executive education to sports industry professionals, with global online delivery.
• University of Lausanne - ISSUL (Institut de Sciences du Sport): Swiss public university offering master's and doctoral programs in sports sciences and sports management with strong Olympic ecosystem ties in Lausanne. Comparable in combining academic credentials with international sports industry access.
• United States Sports Academy: Alabama-based accredited sports university offering graduate and certificate programs in sports management, coaching, and sports studies. Comparable as a specialized sports-focused higher-education institution.
• International Olympic Academy: Greece-based Olympic education institution founded in 1961 that delivers IOC-affiliated sessions on Olympism, sports management, and sport sciences. Most direct global counterpart to QOA's Olympic education mandate.
• AISTS (Academy of International Sport Science and Technology): Lausanne-based institute offering a Master in Sports Administration and Technology. Closest European peer in sports management education, competing for the same international student pool with English-language delivery and IOC ecosystem proximity.
• Saudi Olympic Academy: Riyadh-based national Olympic academy recently established under the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Signed an MoU with QOA in January 2026 to jointly develop sports training cadres, and offers a directly comparable mandate in the Gulf region.
• FISU Academy: Lausanne-based academic arm of the International University Sports Federation offering certified programs in sport management, event management, and sport governance. Closely comparable to QOA in mandate, target audience, and Olympic-adjacent positioning.

Regional players

• National Sports Institute of Malaysia (ISN): Malaysian government sports body that delivers sports science and management education for Southeast Asian sports professionals. Comparable as a state-affiliated sports education provider, but operating in a different regional market.

Others

• Olympic Council of Asia (OCA): Continental Olympic body for Asia that signed a 2014 cooperation agreement with QOA to deliver training sessions for coaches, referees, and specialists. Functions as both a partner and adjacent capacity-builder in the regional sports education ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• German Sport University Cologne: Germany's largest sport university, offering a wide range of sports science and management programs. Larger and more diversified than QOA, but overlaps on sports management and Olympic-related education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/qoa2
• Facebookfacebook.com/qoa.qa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qatarolympic-academy/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/qoa.qa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qatar Olympic Academy