Task: The inaugural edition of the GCC Youth Games (GYG) took place across five emirates with approximately 3,500 young male and female athletes aged 15-21 from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with the aim of having youth gain experience, and elevate their sporting capabilities at regional and international tournament levels. We were tasked with the organization of the opening ceremony for the Games. Held in Dubai Opera, our mission was to ensure the ceremony clearly highlighted the competition values of unity, collaboration, sustainability, promoting healthy lifestyles for youth, tolerance, and female inclusivity across all sports.
What we did: We developed and designed the entire event journey in collaboration with the National Olympics Committee (NOC), including arrival experience, guest management, photo opps, etc. We developed the opening show concept and storyline, incorporating key Olympic protocol elements such as the Flag Parade, taking the GCC Games Oath, the artistic program, and the lighting of the flame. We oversaw the creation and implementation of an artistic program featuring captivating performances that used AI and the latest technology to deliver a spectacular show. In line with the Games' core values, we designed and developed the first-ever sustainable cauldron and torch powered by solar panels, sustainable costumes and props, and interactive AI projections. The Ceremony was attended by VVIPs, including H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, royal family members, National Olympic Committee delegations from the GCC countries, athletes, and spectators. We managed protocol aspects in collaboration with Dubai Opera and the National Olympics Committee.