Marielle Wiegmans giving a presentation during the Netherlands delegation visit at Qatar Chamber headquarters. Pic: Abdul Basit / the peninsula
As many as 17 Dutch companies related to sports business and innovation visited Qatar recently as part of a Dutch sports trade mission seeking new investment deals here as the country gears up for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Camil Smeulders, founder of the Orange Sports Forum (OSF), an association of over 300 sports-related companies and institutes in the Netherlands, was leading the consortium of Dutch companies.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a meeting between the Qatar Chamber and the Dutch sports trade mission, Smeulders said, “We have made the selection of over 15 companies who will be participating in the three-year programme on Qatar. The companies are related to sports, vitality, innovation, and healthcare.
This trade mission is supported by the Dutch government, and we’re also working close together with the Dutch Embassy in Doha. The idea is to create win-win partnerships with Qatari companies. So, we are not here to take. But we are here to work together. It’s not to take the money and run, but we want to create long-lasting friendly relationships. We see a lot of potential. We’re a small country, but we can bring a lot of knowledge,” Smeulders added.
According to Smeulders, the trade mission has already visited a number of institutions here including the Aspire Zone, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Financial Centre, and the Qatar Development Bank among other organisations.
Earlier at the meeting, the Dutch delegates also presented their products and services to their Qatari counterparts. Klaus Hoven, who represented the Breda University of Applied Sciences, said the institution is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Qatar University to work on a joint research project related to sports, physical science, and sports management; as well as in the exchange of students and faculty between the two parties.
Hoven added that the MOU is likely to be signed when the trade mission returns to Qatar in September. One of the innovations presented at the event was Pactive Motion’s robotic intervention which can be used as a tool for faster and better recovery after injuries. Pactive Motion CFO Marielle Wiegmans said the robot can also improve the mental and physical conditions of players of soccer and similar sports, divers and combat sports.
During the event, Wiegmans also presented the features of the Olympic Training Centre Papendal, which is the largest elite sports training centre in the Netherlands.
Also during the event, smart data sports company C Sharp Sports presented how it can generate a 3D model of an actual game and then be used for match analysis. BioCheck, founded by Olympic athlete Patrick van Luijk and scientist Stans van der Poel was also featured for its app which has won the regional Health Innovation prize of 2019.
Henko A&T was also presented as one of Europe’s leading companies specialised in supplying adhesives, tools, and equipment designed specifically for the installation and maintenance of artificial grass. Game On Technologies presented how it uses video images live on the playing field via a wireless network. The images are available in seconds, allowing sports coaches to provide real live video feedback.
According to Smeulders, the organisation is also working closely with Al-Misnad Holdings on leisure projects such as the implementation of roller coasters and theme parks. He added, “We have a lot of foreign fans coming, and it’s good to also think further. So apart from sports, we can also build destination tourism attractions”.
Dutch Ambassador to Qatar HE Dr Bahia Tahzib-Lie, also said, “We’re very pleased that we have this sports consortium here. At Netherlands, what really makes us tick is really innovation. That drives us. We’re passionate about that. And especially if you look at these companies which have come to Qatar, they are so innovative, and they’re coming with the latest developments.
I just had this 3D experience of being in a football field and being in the body of a football player, and to see how you can enhance your football skills, and even become better. It is amazing what they have to offer. And especially because we’re having the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, I see so much potential of working closer together”.
