United Arab Emirates

Complementing Dubai Sports City is the Hamdan Sports Complex, another world-class and spectacularly flexible sports venue completed in 2010 at a cost of over $300 million.

The privately-financed Dubai Sports City development, which comprises an array of top-level sports facilities and a significant residential element, is the place where the two distinct, but inevitably linked, facets of sport in the emirate come together.

With bullish tourism numbers to be hit by the time the World Expo lands in six years’ time, major sports events are playing an integral role in the growth of the economy in Dubai. Kevin Roberts travelled to the UAE to meet the major players and asked them how they are making it happen.

IPC Athletics, the international federation for para-athletics, has announced that Dubai will host the inaugural edition of its new Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships from March 3-8, 2016.

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced that Abu Dhabi will join the schedule of the World Triathlon Series in 2015.

Spanish Formula One star Fernando Alonso has partnered with UAE-based sport investment firm Novo in a bid to drive forward his plans to establish a professional cycling team.

Golf’s Asian Tour has made a first move into the Middle East by announcing its season-ending event will take place in Dubai this December.

Golf’s European Tour has announced a revamp of the season finale to its second tier Challenge Tour, rebranding it as the ‘Final Swing’.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) has agreed a three-year deal with events company Panacea Dubai for a round of its World Series to be staged in Dubai from 2015.

Dubai hopes to submit a bid for the Olympic Games within the next eight years, according to Ali Omar, the director of Dubai Sports Council’s (DSC) sports development department.

Zayed Sports City in the United Arab Emirates is home to four major sporting facilities designed to host a wide range of sporting events and teams.

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has amended a deal for Abu Dhabi to host its Sailing World Cup Final through to 2017 by extending the agreement by an additional two years until 2019.

Golf’s world No.2 Henrik Stenson has broadened his endorsement portfolio by agreeing a two-year deal with Dubai-based luxury residential golf community Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE).

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has awarded Abu Dhabi the hosting rights to its Sailing World Cup Final through to 2017.

Dubai Sports Council (DSC) has moved to bolster the city’s sports event hosting credentials by launching a Sports Events Ranking System.

The International Air Sports Federation (FAI) has awarded its 2015 World Air Games to the United Arab Emirates, with the showpiece event to be held in Dubai.