New research tie-up to enhance insights on sports industry

A new research project partnership announced Tuesday would help countries assess economic capabilities and identify measures that will build a sustainable sports industry. Doha-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) is collaborating with the Center for International Development (CID) at Harvard University for this project. CID Director Professor Ricardo Hausmann and Harvard Kennedy School Associate Professor of Public Policy Matt Andrews are overseeing this research project, the ICSS said today. The research project will use an interactive tool called The Atlas online. Users will be able to know a country’s total trade, track its dynamics and growth opportunities for more than 100 countries. Speaking about the agreement, ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab said, “This research project will forge a key working relationship with one of the world’s leading economic experts, who will work with the ICSS to build the right foundations for an analytical framework that will assist countries and cities develop robust and sustainable sport industries.” Professor Hausmann said, “The ICSS’ two-year commitment to collaborate with CID will enable us to broaden our insights into sport at the city and country levels using the Product Space. “Through this collaboration, we will begin to understand the economic complexities that govern the development of sport as an industry. “This is significant work as it will make a valuable contribution to the public body of knowledge and will also help us to further identify why some cities and countries are more successful than others in developing robust and sustainable industries around sport.” ICSS, Director for Research and Knowledge Gathering Dr. Shaun McCarthy, who leads the ICSS Index Project, said, “The research will produce important insight and understanding into how sports-related services and manufacturing industries play a central role in economies. This agreement will enhance our aim of supporting countries and cities in their pursuit to create sustainable sports sectors.”