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About
Dr. Mahfoud Amara is an Associate Professor in Sport Social Sciences and Management at Qatar University's College of Arts and Sciences. He is a leading scholar on sport, identity, and governance in the Arab and Muslim world, with particular expertise in the role of international mega-events in shaping national identities and soft power.
His research spans sport diplomacy, football governance, post-colonial theory, and development policy — particularly within the context of the Gulf region and broader MENA. He is widely published in peer-reviewed journals and regularly contributes to public discourse through The Peninsula Qatar.
Dr. Amara's work addresses the intersection of sport, politics, and culture, examining how nations leverage sport for diplomatic goals, national branding, and social cohesion. His writing on Qatar's 2022 FIFA World Cup and National Sports Day has drawn significant international attention.