The second edition of Doha Goals, the high mass of world sport bringing together political and institutional leaders, former athletes, economic decision-makers and experts, began this Monday, December 9 (until Wednesday 11) in the capital of Qatar. Its creator, the Moroccan Richard Attias, explained it to FrancsJeux the origin, the ambition and the main lines. And detailed his vision of sport and his projects in the field. Interview.
FrancsJeux : When did you become interested in sport and want to get involved in it?
Richard Attias: It all started when I was organizing the World Economic Forum in Davos. Ten years ago, we decided to offer a session on sport. Only one session out of the 356 on the program. Sepp Blatter and Pélé had participated. And this session was the most popular, but also the most intense and dynamic. I then had the idea of creating a Davos of sport. After leaving Publicis and starting my own company, Richard Attias & Associates, I decided to implement it. I wanted to organize it in Brazil. But a meeting in Morocco with the Emir of Qatar made me lean towards Doha. He was attracted by the project and offered to host it.
Qatar again and again...
It's true. But I know this country well. For twenty years, I have seen him grow. And, contrary to popular belief, especially in the West, sport is part of its DNA. Members of the royal family are sports enthusiasts. And this country is the only one in the world that has declared one day per year, the first Tuesday of February, a national sports holiday. When I discovered the facilities of the Aspire Academy in Doha, I did not hesitate for a second, I understood that the Doha Goals had just been born.
How does this Forum stand out from others?
The first year, we organized a pre-Doha Goals, with 50 people. We met for 36 hours to write the roadmap for our idea. And it was decided that the Doha Goals should not be a forum, but a platform from which ideas and initiatives would emerge.
Speaking of ideas, you mentioned last year, during the first edition, the creation of a sort of “Tobin tax” for sport. What happened to her?
She made her way. And we should, I hope, be able to announce something concrete tomorrow (Tuesday 10). But the idea is not to create a tax, rather a solidarity fund into which athletes would agree to pay 1% of their net income. Top athletes often turn out to be very helpless in the event of a problem. And most of them don't think about tomorrow. In the United States, a survey found that 60% of former NFL players were unemployed.
Does sport occupy the place it deserves in the economy today?
No. We are not using it enough to boost the economy. However, it proves to be a job creator, as all studies show.
As such, do you think that France should apply to host the 2024 Olympic Games?
Of course. I am in favor of all applications, from all countries, particularly from France. Fifteen years have passed since the World Cup in 1998. It’s long, too long. In my opinion, major sporting events must be on the political agenda of a nation. A President of the Republic should, during each mandate, have contributed to the organization of at least one major global competition.
We lend you sports projects in Africa…
That's right. I have a lot. I am supporting, for example, the Republic of Congo in organizing the African Games in Brazzaville in 2015. And I am monitoring all applications from African countries, for upcoming events or for competitions already awarded. Sport is part of the culture of the African continent. Just as with Qatar, it seems abnormal to me to exclude the countries from the international sports calendar.
