Our contribution during the Middle East Sports Investment Forum (MESIF)

Madrid Edition 2025 took place on November 7th at the Bernabéu Stadium, bringing together top-tier professionals from across the global sports industry — with attendees from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the UAE, Egypt, the UK, the USA, Germany, and more.

We are grateful to the organizers, Maximilian Lejman and Aleksander Georgiev, MBA, for giving Carlos Cantó, as CEO of SPSG Consulting, the opportunity to moderate a highly engaging panel on “Developing World-Class Sporting Facilities in the MENA Region.”The session featured an exceptional lineup of distinguished experts:

🎤 Fahad AlSubaie, CP3P-P – Club Investment Director, Ministry of Sport (KSA)

🎤 Anas Dahlawi – General Manager, Facilities Operation, Ministry of Sport (KSA)

🎤 Kamel Badawy – Chief Data & Strategic Alliance Officer, Aspire Zone Foundation (Qatar)

🎤 Jorge Vizcaya – Head of Sport & Entertainment, Sener (Spain)

Our discussion centered on the key success factors needed to design, deliver, operate and sustain profitable, world-class sports facilities capable of hosting both major global events and day-to-day “bread and butter” competitions:

• A holistic approach to sustainability (environmental, social, and economic)

• Effective public–private partnerships (with Saudi Arabia as a benchmark)

• Designing facilities aligned with demand-driven needs and preferences

• Leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhance performance

• Strong and transparent governance

  
  

The sold-out event welcomed several high-level authorities and industry leaders, including:

• Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid

• Ibrahim Almoaiqel, Ministry of Sport (KSA)

• Basim K. Ibrahim, Ministry of Investment (KSA)

• Inmaculada Sanz Otero, Deputy Mayor of Madrid

• Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid C.F.

• Íñigo Fernández de Mesa, CEOE

  And many others.