MENA

International Motorsport Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt has insisted Formula One will not suffer any long-term damage to its brand following the Bahrain Grand Prix, while commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone has maintained that the event has a solid future.

Formula One’s decision to give the green light to the Bahrain Grand Prix has come under further scrutiny after a group of British lawmakers called on sponsors to “curtail” their backing of the race, while the Force India team found itself caught in the middle of protests.

Doha has enhanced its sports event-hosting credentials by agreeing a deal to stage the 2012 PSA World Squash Championship.

The organisers of this weekend’s inaugural Bahrain Invitational golf tournament have insisted that the event will go ahead as planned, as Formula One’s Bahrain Grand Prix continues to come under scrutiny.

Formula One’s commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has claimed the sport’s teams will have the final say over whether they compete in the Bahrain Grand Prix after local organisers hit out at “scaremongering” surrounding the race.

Formula One’s teams have called on the sport’s stakeholders to cancel, or at least postpone, the forthcoming Bahrain Grand Prix amid continuing concerns over security in the country, according to a report.

Qatar has secured another major sporting event after Doha was awarded the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in 2014.

Real Madrid has unveiled ambitious plans to develop a US$1 billion, club-themed resort in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

English Premier League chairman Dave Richards warned the organisers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar “not to stick their heads in the sand” over issues surrounding alcohol.

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have gained important backing in their bid to bring Formula One back to the country after receiving support from Cherif Bassiouni, the chairman of the independent commission which has monitored the fractious situation in the Gulf state over the past year.

The bid team behind the Qatari capital of Doha’s attempts to bring the 2020 Olympics to the Middle East has revealed it plans to stage the Games from October 2-18 if it wins the right to host the event.

The International Motorsport Federation (FIA) and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone have maintained that the sport is committed to returning to Bahrain this year, despite continued violence in the Gulf Kingdom a year on from its supressed uprising.

The International Motorsport Federation (FIA) has come under renewed pressure to reconsider its decision to allow Formula One’s Bahrain Grand Prix to go ahead after a group of British politicians expressed their unease at the situation in the country.

Qatar 2022 has announced that CH2M HILL has secured the crucial contract to ensure the successful delivery of the Middle East’s first FIFA World Cup.

Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee secretary general Hassan Al Thawadi has insisted the organising committee for the FIFA World Cup will ensure contractors adhere to international labour laws for workers on construction projects for the tournament.

Longines has entered into a strategic business partnership with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) which will see it sponsor some of the world’s leading horse races.