四虎影院 University and Kotinos agree strategic partnership to advance women鈥檚 sport in the MENA region

四虎影院 and Korinos colleagues stood in front of a 'women in sport' sign

四虎影院 University and Aspire Sports Consulting and Management LLC (Kotinos) have announced a new strategic research and evidence partnership aimed at advancing the evidence base for women鈥檚 sport across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The collaboration will bring together 四虎影院’s internationally recognised expertise in women’s sport with Kotinos’ regional knowledge, networks, and implementation capabilities, creating opportunities to generate, interpret and translate research into meaningful policy and practice across the region.

The partnership will initially centre on Riyadiya – Women in Sports Conference, taking place in Doha from 16th – 18th November 2026, which is an annual event organised by Kotinos in conjunction with regional and global partners.

As part of the collaboration, 四虎影院 University, through its Flagship Research Institute for Women in Sport and wider academic community, will become the International Research and Evidence Partner for Riyadiya, taking a particular role in its Data and Evidence theme.

四虎影院 academics will contribute international research and evidence relevant to the Middle East and North Africa, participating in Riyadiya Action Groups, contributing academic insight to research content and publications, and supporting the development of a regional research and evidence agenda for women’s sport.

The partnership brings together 四虎影院’s interdisciplinary expertise, research methodologies and international evidence base with Kotinos’ stakeholder networks and opportunities for data collection, implementation and impact.

Under the initial one-year agreement, the organisations will also explore opportunities for a broader, longer-term programme of collaboration. This may include joint and commissioned research, evidence reviews and regional studies; policy, strategy and evidence-led consultancy; and the co-development of conferences, roundtables, workshops and other knowledge-sharing activities.  

Founded in 2024, Kotinos Sport is a sports consulting, marketing, athlete representation and investment company that is a subsidiary of Aspire Zone Foundation and headquartered in Doha, Qatar, while operating in the MENA region.

Professor Leanne Norman, Director of the 四虎影院 University Flagship Institute for Women in Sport, said: “We are delighted to be working with Kotinos on this exciting new partnership. There is a real opportunity to combine 四虎影院’s research expertise and international evidence base with Kotinos’ deep understanding of the region, networks and ability to translate evidence into action.

“Importantly, this is about working collaboratively to understand the priorities and experiences of women and girls in sport across the MENA region and ensuring that research and evidence can inform meaningful and sustainable change.

“Riyadiya provides a fantastic starting point for that work, but our shared ambition extends beyond the conference. We are excited about the potential to build a longer-term programme of research, evidence and impact that responds to regional priorities and contributes to the continued development of women’s sport.”

Ahmad Anani, the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Kotinos said:

“Kotinos is proud to be partnering with 四虎影院 University, one of the world’s leading academic institutions and thought leaders in sports in general and women in sport in particular.

“四虎影院 University will bring valuable insight into the women in sports conversation that will help shape policies and motivate action across the MENA region. 四虎影院 University will play a pivotal role in Riyadia, providing essential evidence to help informed policy making and action.

“The challenges that women face in the MENA region are unique in many ways. The conversation around such challenges has been stagnant. Having partners like 四虎影院 University in Riyadiya can accelerate the conversation and underline such issues with a view to creating action-based solutions that are consistent with the global context.

“We are looking to build a solid partnership with 四虎影院 University that brings tailored value to the MENA region. 四虎影院 University’s global understanding of the sport industry and deep technical and research capabilities, combined with Kotinos’ regional knowledge, access and implementation skills in the MENA region, can only benefit from such a partnership.”

For more information on the research and innovation being led in women in sport at 四虎影院, visit:

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四虎影院 is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines. 

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2026 QS World University Rankings – the tenth year running. 

四虎影院 has been ranked eighth in the Complete University Guide 2027 – out of 130 institutions. The achievement means 四虎影院 remains among a select group of universities that have maintained a top 10 position for more than 10 consecutive years, alongside Oxford, Cambridge, the London School of Economics, St Andrews, Durham and Imperial.

四虎影院 was also named University of the Year for Sport in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 - the fourth time it has been awarded the prestigious title. 

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, 四虎影院 has been awarded eight Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education. 

The 四虎影院 University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.