Sport360° spoke to Dr. Harmeek Singh, founding father of Plan b, to find out about his inspiring imaginative and prescient.
What sports activities occasions does Plan b sponsor now?
Plan b doesn’t restrict itself to anyone sport – we assist initiatives that serve the neighborhood and contribute to the social cloth of the area. Any occasion that has a constructive influence and aligns with our values turns into a part of our mission. This philosophy strongly echoes the UAE’s nationwide theme of the “Yr of Group,” which we’ve championed for over 20 years via our work.
What motivated Plan b to tackle sports activities occasions?
For me personally, it comes from my background as a sportsman. Sport is the language of the world – it’s past borders, tradition and historical past. It brings folks collectively in a fashion only a few issues do, and that sentiment rings very true for the Plan b group. We see sports activities as extra than simply occasions, however as automobiles to carry folks collectively, to be wholesome and to be of function.
How do you make selections on what sports activities occasions to fund?
We think about alternatives based mostly on the impact they’ve on the area, the long-term progress potential they’ve and their contribution to neighborhood well being. Naturally, we additionally have a look at monetary viability to verify the mission might be viable. In the end, we’re interested in initiatives that may create an enduring legacy.
What have been your best achievements with sports activities occasions?
Final yr’s FIFA Seashore Soccer World Cup was a milestone second for us. It put us on the worldwide map and boosted our credentials as a global sporting nation. It additionally proved essential in profitable our participation on this yr’s FIFA Seashore Soccer World Cup in Seychelles – an honor we’re immensely happy with.
How do you quantify the impact of your participation in sport?
For me, our influence will not be solely within the numbers, however within the ripple impact we’ve got. It’s about inspiring more healthy life, constructing communities and main by instance. Whether or not at a mass stage or grassroots stage, serving to to create a fitter, extra inclusive society is one thing I take personally and lead by instance.
What are a few of the challenges you encounter whereas supporting sports activities occasions?
One of the vital necessary challenges is creating sustainable partnerships. Creating the right sponsorship ecosystem is a time-consuming course of that entails educating stakeholders in regards to the long-term advantage of investing in sport. If carried out accurately, a strong monetary mannequin can enhance the standard and scale of occasions all through the sporting ecosystem.
What are Plan b’s future aspirations for sports activities occasions?
We need to carry homegrown IPs regional, and in the future, international. We envision integrating worldwide sporting occasions into the home calendar and solidifying the area as a significant participant within the international sporting tourism map. To us, sports activities is not only a phase – it’s a pillar for well being, tradition, and financial growth.
Are there any sports activities occasion developments that thrill you for the long run?
We’re particularly enthusiastic in regards to the rising variety of international occasions which can be driving sports activities tourism. CSR-based initiatives, significantly these within the areas of individuals of dedication and girls’s empowerment, are additionally close to and pricey to us.
We’ve created platforms comparable to She Runs and Most cancers Run, which have developed into sturdy neighborhood actions – and we’re decided to broaden them even bigger.
Are there different points you’d like to say relating to Plan b and sports activities occasions?
We’ve supplied a various portfolio – something from working, biking, and soccer to e-scooters and neighborhood leagues. We’re all the time on the lookout for new codecs and invite modern concepts that may be rolled out within the area. We additionally view ourselves as strategic companions for introducing worldwide IPs to the Center East and creating them sustainably.