Dubai unveils big sports plans
Dubai, March 23, 2008
Dubai is poised for an unprecedented expansion in sport and cultural activities with the Dubai Event Management Corporation planning major new initiatives and global tieups, according to Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the corporation’s president.
The corporation was established by a law issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister and Dubai ruler, to manage and organise events, exhibitions and conferences.
Launched by Sheikh Ahmed, the corporation will strike international alliances with sports and cultural associations in the coming months, while working towards attracting conferences and exhibitions to the UAE.
In addition, it will also develop and own international events, representing all sports, Sheikh Ahmed added.
“Our primary focus is to further develop the UAE as a leading destination for world class events of international significance and we believe we have the resources, capability and know-how to achieve this objective. Our intention is to establish the UAE as one of the world’s leading sports and cultural events destinations.”
Leveraging the country’s established success in hosting world class events, the corporation will add significant value by bringing top tier sportsmen and women and artists to the UAE, he noted.
The corporation will seek to build credibility as a calendar and event management institution in the UAE and around the world. It will provide its services locally and to the international markets while setting new benchmarks, as well as identifying and facilitating new key events with widespread public appeal.
"In addition to acting as a sports and cultural events owner, the corporation will also be an effective service provider for corporate events," Sheikh Ahmed explained.
Sheikh Ahmed said the corporation will follow a clear growth path with a proper emphasis on profitability while judiciously identifying investment opportunities.
He pointed out that in the next few years, it will take ownership of more than four key events and establish its global status as an event advisor, venue facilitator and extended service provider, before regionally expanding and diversifying its business scope.
Speaking about the new initiative, Saeed Al Muntafiq, executive chairman of the Dubai Event Management Corporation, said the corporation would re-define the events industry in the UAE and cement the country’s reputation for organising and hosting world class events.
According to research firm IEG, global outlay on sponsorships is expected to increase 14.8 per cent this year to $43.5 billion. However, if broadcasting rights, event management and players fees are added into the mix, then the market has the potential to double in size, IEG said in its report.-TradeArabia News Service