A visionary leader and enthusiast, Aleksei Gusev is on a mission to encourage FootGolf in the UAE. A unique combination of Football and Golf, the sport is gaining momentum worldwide, and he is dedicated to bringing it to the UAE. Being an ideal location for the sport, Aleksei Gusev is relentlessly working towards the creation of the UAE FootGolf Federation, a non-profit organization, to elevate FootGolf in the UAE.
FootGolf: A Sport Embodying Values and Inclusivity
Played on golf courses, in FootGolf, players use their football skills to drive the ball into the hole in the fewest possible strokes. As a sport based on fairness, sportsmanship and inclusivity, it is open to players of all ages, genders and skill levels, alongside embodying the values of discipline, courtesy, competition and respect.
Additionally, the sport is equally accessible to everyone: from children and adults, men and women, young and old, and even for people with disabilities, everyone can participate in it.
Inclusion and FootGolf
FootGolf is a sport well-known for its inclusivity. Inclusion is when all people, regardless of their differences, can fully participate in social life, learn, work, and have fun together.
Aleksei Gusev shares that inclusion is not only respect for the rights and needs of each person, rather, a value for the society as a whole. Sharing an instance, Aleksei mentions, “Back in September 2024, children with Down syndrome in Russia took part in one of the Footgolf tournaments. And eventually, all of the 10 participants showed outstanding results in the sport, reflecting its inclusive nature.”
Global FootGolf Gaining Momentum: Need of the Hour
With FootGolf gaining well-acclaimed popularity in recent times, Aleksei Gusev shares that it is high time for the UAE to take a step in introducing and uplifting this sport. Highlighting its rising popularity, Aleksei mentions, “The 4th FootGolf World Championship took place in Orlando, USA, in 2023. And, the 2026 FootGolf World Championships will be held in Acapulco, Mexico. FootGolf is on its way to achieving Olympic status, with work underway to include the sport in the programme for the 2032 Games in Brisbane.” By creating a federation for this sport, the UAE can also be represented on the global platform.
The Vision: UAE FootGolf Federation
To participate in international tournaments, the UAE needs to establish its own FootGolf Federation, a non-profit organisation that will then join the International FootGolf Federation (FIFG). Aleksei Gusev believes this step will allow players from the UAE to participate in international competitions and represent their country on the world stage.
Moreover, the UAE will also be in a better position to host tournaments and leagues of FootGolf, creating an entire ecosystem around the sport with employment generation opportunities and development of more talented athletes from the region.
Plans for FootGolf Federation
Aiming to build a FootGolf Federation for the UAE, Aleksei Gusev envisions some goals that can be worked on if the federation is formed. He proposes that the federation can host the first international FootGolf tournaments in 2025. Moreover, they can apply to host the FootGolf World Cup in the UAE in 2028-2029. “This is an excellent idea to hold the first footgolf tournament in the desert,” he adds.
By building the federation, Aleksei even envisions developing a regional league for the Gulf countries and spreading FootGolf to neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt.
A Suitable Location for FootGolf
FootGolf is a unique combination of football and golf, which is undoubtedly gaining huge popularity around the world. And the UAE is ideally positioned to become a regional and international centre for the sport. “With its world-class golf courses, favourable climate all year round, and strategic location, the UAE is an ideal place to develop FootGolf,” explains Aleksei.
With everyone’s support, Aleksei Gusev is optimistic about attracting a growing number of fans of this sport in every Emirate and making the UAE a leader in this field.
Final Thoughts
By partnering and investing in Aleksei Gusev’s vision of developing the UAE’s FootGolf Federation, investors can contribute to the development of a new sport and help the UAE achieve international recognition in FootGolf. The investments will enable Aleksei Gusev and his team to form and train a national team to compete in the 2026 FootGolf World Cup, while developing a comprehensive program to grow the sport in the UAE from 2025 to 2030. “Together, we can qualify for the World Cup, find success at the Olympics, and bring FootGolf to the UAE,” he mentions.
With a passion to host international tournaments and promote the sport in the region, Aleksei Gusev is playing an instrumental role in elevating the UAE’s profile in the global FootGolf community.
To learn more about FootGolf, follow Aleksei Gusev on LinkedIn and find Footgolf UAE on Instagram and visit their website https://www.footgolf.ae/
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