MENA

The Heads of State of all the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries pledged their unanimous support for the Doha 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Bid at their summit in Doha this week.

The Motor Sport Business Forum is to expand with a new conference and exhibition in the Middle East.

Octagon UK Managing Director Nick Massey has been appointed Chief Executive (Marketing) for Europe and the Middle East.

Companies from the Italian sport goods sector are to hold discussions with their UAE counterparts with a view to further possible collaboration in the sports sector.

The IAAF Council agreed a number of hosts for future events including Doha for the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships and Istanbul for the 2012 event.

US PGA Tour CEO Tim Finchem says the European Tour's new £4.88m ($10m) Dubai World Championship will help end complaints that high prize money in America is harming golf.

Golf’s European Tour is to stage the game’s richest ever tournament worth $20 million in Dubai in 2009.

Nestle MILO has signed as the main sponsor of Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, was named as Official Destination Partner of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), in a new sponsorship deal.

Peace Through Sport, the global initiative founded by HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein to help bring unity to the world’s divided communities, is ready to be “rolled out to the globe” after holding a successful 10-day pilot camp in Amman, Jordan.

The Qatar National Olympic Committee (QNOC) agreed a deal with Qatar National Bank (QNB), for the bank to sponsor the four major sport championships in the country - Football, Basketball, Handball, and Volleyball for the 2007-2008 season.

HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee opened the first Peace Through Sport Camp in Al Hussein Youth City, Amman, for leaders of youth from around the world to help them use sport to bridge the differences in their divided communities.

The Dubai Sports City plans to host a tournament for the 'A' teams of all Test-playing nations twice a year.

Dubai Municipality is undertaking three major projects worth $17.6 million to increase its sports infrastructure.

The International Archery Federation (FITA) will launch the bidding process for its 2010 and 2011 World Cup Final events on October 1.

Etihad Airlines, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with Chelsea Football Club to become its official airline partner, according to reports.

The European Olympic Committees and Samsung launched “Get up & Go” - an anti-obesity campaign for European youth - at the CONI Olympic Park.

Lynne Frank, ESPN’s Managing Director for Europe has been promoted to senior vice president in ESPN International. Frank will continue to oversee ESPN’s expanded business in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.