From horse and car racing to tennis and cricket competitions

An inspiring strategy for 10 years. Dubai is a favourite global destination for major tournaments

In line with its growing role as a leading global hub for business, trade and tourism, Dubai continues to establish itself as a preferred global destination for hosting major international sporting events and tournaments, including tennis, cricket, horse and car racing, sprinting, marathons, bicycles, basketball, polo, chess and many other sports, especially those practiced outdoors and in the winter season, which is characterized by a mild climate and atmosphere suitable for holding various games.

The positive initiatives included in the strategy to develop the sports sector in Dubai, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council for the period 2023-2033, are in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda and enhance Dubai's readiness to lead the future, as it will serve as an action plan for all sports bodies, institutions and federations, especially with regard to creating the future of sports, achieving sustainability, empowering community members, providing an attractive environment for talent, and creating a climate for growing investment opportunities.
The strategy aims to achieve significant growth in the sports sector by increasing the contribution of sports to the GDP from 2% to 4%, managing and organizing 3000,1000 international, regional and local sports events, hosting more than 90,<> international sports camps, increasing the percentage of sports events organized with the support of the private sector to <>%, and other achievements that have a positive impact on the development of the sports sector in Dubai.
Dubai has emerged as a preferred destination on the international sports scene thanks to hosting a large number of world-class events and events, most of which are concentrated in the winter season, making the emirate the preferred place for international sports bodies to host international sports tournaments and events after recording exceptional success in hosting multi-stage tournaments, with its modern sports facilities and world-class infrastructure, including some of the best sports stadiums and stadiums in the world, and the availability of comprehensive hospitality facilities and facilities. Highly efficient and reliable logistics, and its ability to create the safe environment necessary for the organization of major tournaments.

World tennis champions shine in Dubai One of the world championships that witnessed the participation of a group of prominent international tennis stars was the Dubai
Duty Free Women's Tennis Championship, which began on February 19, 2023 and continued until the 25th of the same month, where the 23rd edition of the women's tournament was characterized as the strongest in the history of the tournament since its inception in 2001 due to the participation of 18 of the top 20 ranked players in the world, in addition to the presence of 4 former champions. Czech winner Barbora Krejcikova won the 2023 Dubai Duty Free Women's Tennis Championship in the individual category, beating world number one Iga Švišontek 6-4, 6-2 in the final.
The prize money for the women's tournament is $2.9 million, the same as the prize money for the men's tournament, for a total of about $6 million. Tennis fans enjoyed witnessing the high levels of competition presented by the best female tennis players in the world in Dubai, followed by renewed excitement and excitement with the men's competition, as Dubai is also currently hosting the Dubai Duty Free Men's Tennis Championship, which began on February 27 and runs until March 4, 2023.
The men's tournament saw the participation of 8 players ranked in the top 20 in the world, including British tennis star Andy Murray, former world number one, and winner of three of the four Grand Slam tournaments. The tournament also witnessed the return of Spanish star Rafael Nadal to participate in the tournament after his last participation in the tournament in 2008, in addition to the participation of 4 ranked from the list of the top 10 players in the world, and the final match of the tournament will be held next Saturday, March 4.
Regarding his association with the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, ranked first in the world, said that he always keeps in mind to come to Dubai and participate in this tournament, as he has been associated with it for years, in addition to that Dubai is the headquarters for his training for long periods throughout the year.

A global destination Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said: "Dubai enjoys a prominent position as a major global
sports destination thanks to the vision of our wise leadership, and we, in Dubai Sports Council, are working to strengthen that position and double the contribution of sports to Dubai's GDP, increase the contribution of the sports sector to Dubai's economy and benefit from the power of the impact of sport to improve the quality of life of society, the health and activity of the individual, as well as attract and nurture talented athletes and achieve more results. Positivity and growth of Dubai's sports sector at all levels and attracting more tournaments and events.
"Of the large number of more than 400 internationally competitive, local and community sporting events organised in Dubai annually, more than 130 are held in the emirate. The sports sector has benefited from efforts to establish Dubai as the best city in the world to live, work and visit, attracting many of the most prominent sports stars and teams from all over the world, whether to participate in tournaments held in Dubai or for training and training camps, which has enriched the sports scene in the city and enhanced economic returns for various other sectors, especially the travel and tourism sectors."

Economic
Returns 2022 was marked as the Year of Sports par excellence in the UAE and the world with a strong return to all tournaments and the full return of fans to attend competitions on the pitch. The year 2022 in Dubai was also marked as the year of strengthening the position of sport in the movement of society and the year of attracting more local and international events, tournaments and events that achieved significant growth in the level of participating names, sports and crowd numbers.
A report prepared by the Dubai Sports Council through a global house of expertise revealed that the contribution of sports to the GDP of the Emirate of Dubai increased to more than AED 9 billion in 2021, with a contribution of 2.3% of Dubai's GDP, and that the sports sector supports the provision of 105,700 jobs, which was achieved through the significant and continuous growth of the sports sector in all its aspects related to the sports events sector as well as the sports industry and the increase in the number of participants and the public in Events and tournaments from inside and outside the country and the growth of sports tourism.
The report indicated that the number of companies registered in Dubai specialized in the field of organizing sports events and training camps exceeded 400 companies, and the number of various sports academies also exceeded 400 academies, as well as the number of fitness centers and specialized sports centers operating on 100 each, and the number of clubs in Dubai exceeded 55, while the number of sports in which events and championships are organized in Dubai reached <> sports.

A favorite destination for golf lovers
Dubai has become a favorite destination for international sports stars to train or spend a vacation with their families due to the availability of high-level courses and training centers, high-end hospitality services, and Dubai's ability to create the safe environment necessary to organize major international tournaments, thus strengthening its position as a model destination for hosting international tournaments, especially golf courses that host many international tournaments throughout the year.
Dubai's golf infrastructure has contributed to hosting major tournaments and major events organised by the European Tour Group, including the Dubai Desert Classic, the DP World Golf Championship and the Dubai Moonlight Classic with the participation of the best players in the world, and these courses are a leisure destination for residents and visitors to the emirate.
Over the past three decades, Dubai has cemented its position as one of the world's leading golf destinations. Due to its success in hosting major international golf tournaments, Dubai offers the best courses and capabilities for game lovers to enjoy international golf competitions. With outstanding hospitality, variety of restaurants and mild winter weather, Dubai is a magnet for golf enthusiasts.
The Dubai Desert Classic, held at the Emirates Golf Club, is one of the oldest events on the European Tour, with a total prize money of $8 million and a prize pool of $10 million.

DP Cricket Championship In keeping with the popularity of cricket
in the UAE, Dubai hosted another multi-stage tournament this winter, the DP World International Championship, which saw a six-team contest that started on 13 January and ran until 12 February with a total of 34 matches. The tournament ranked second among cricket tournaments globally in terms of the size of the prize money awarded to the winners. It saw the participation of the game's top international stars, including Sunil Narren, Joe Root, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Bolt, Alex Halles, Sam Billings, Tom Curran and Moeen Ali.

Dubai Marathon Dubai also hosted the 22nd Dubai
Marathon, the region's most prestigious long-distance sprint race, bringing together athletes from around the world to participate in the marathon and associated races, including the 12km and 10km races. The Dubai Marathon, organised by the Dubai Sports Council, is back after a three-year hiatus.
There is no doubt that this edition of the Dubai World Marathon will remain in the minds of the 4,17 participants of various nationalities, as it was held at Expo Dubai for the first time in its history. Ethiopian men's champion Abdesa Tula Adera and compatriot Dera Dida Yami of the women's race were on the podium.

Dubai Fitness Challenge 30×30
The Dubai Fitness Challenge is one of the largest community sporting events and includes a diverse and comprehensive schedule of sporting events, including many activities and fitness classes within DP World at Kite Beach Fitness Village and RTA Village at Last Exit Fitness, in addition to 19 fitness centers, as well as many events and free fitness classes.

Dubai
also hosted the Hankook Dubai 24 Hours Fast Car Challenge, which was held at the Dubai Autodrome with more than 100 vehicles, and was held from January 13 to 15, becoming one of the highlights of the Dubai Autodrome. A total of 226 of the world's best drivers representing 33 different nationalities from all continents competed, led by legendary Valentino Rossi, world champion Maxime Martin, 2012 world motor champion Rob Hoff, Sean Gillell and Britain's Tim White.
Dubai Autodrome also hosted the Dubai Kartdrome Oplet on January 21 and 22, and the Ferrari Asian Motor Challenge from January 27 to 29.
Other major tournaments hosted in Dubai this winter included the Dubai Silver Polo Cup from January 21 to February 4, which housed the strongest polo teams in the world, and Dubai also hosted the 27nd Dubai International Basketball Championship from January 5 to February <>.

Dubai World
Cup Carnival Last January, Dubai witnessed the 20th edition of the Dubai World Cup Carnival with high international participation, as the Dubai Racing Club announced the nomination of about 150 horses in this year's edition competing for 9 consecutive weeks, during which the pace of competition gradually escalates, leading to Super Saturday Night on March 4, and then Dubai World Cup Night on Saturday, March 25, which has a total prize pool of $ 30.5 million, which is one of the most important factors that Dubai's position as a major hub on the global horse sports map confirms that it is the event that is awaited annually by the most important owners, jockeys and trainers around the world.
The Dubai World Cup Carnival, which began in 2004, will see the addition of new races in the 2023 edition, including the $2000,150 Thunder Snow Challenge on dirt over a distance of $15,<>, which bears the name of the first champion horse to win two editions of the Dubai World Cup, and the race can be an indicator of the horses competing.
On January <>, Dubai witnessed the launch of the Dubai Virtual Cup, or Dubai Fierscap, making the Dubai Racing Club the first racing institution in the world to have its races in the world of "metaverse". Dubai Versecap, a virtual metaverse game powered by real-world thoroughbred horse racing, will be where users will be able to experience the races through horse-racing inspired scenes at Meydan. Dubai Versecap will be the first virtual horse racing game of its kind that mimics the world's most iconic race, the Dubai World Cup, with the aim of raising awareness of the sport to new generations through a platform that attracts and introduces them to it.

Government Games to World The fourth edition of the Government Games, hosted by Dubai Design District until March 5, kicked off today (Thursday) as part of a distinctive edition of the tournament while consolidating its position as a global sporting event, as the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, to create the "City Challenge" category to open the door for cities around the world to participate in women's and men's teams, in order to win the title of "Champion of the City Challenge for World
Government Games". This unique event aims to highlight and consolidate the noble values advocated by sport and are consistent with the objectives of government work, the most important of which are teamwork, integration of roles, harmony and strategic thinking, in addition to the correct use of physical strength through teamwork.
82 teams will participate in the men's government entities, 27 teams in the women's government entities category, 28 teams in the community games category, and 27 teams in the cities challenge category. The total prize pool is AED 3.6 million, with three prizes for each of the four categories, with the first place prize for each category reaching AED 500,250, the second place prize reaching AED 150,<>, and the third place prize for AED <>,<>.
In its past three editions, the Government Games attracted a wide local, regional and international participation that exceeded three thousand participation from government employees, in addition to the community challenge category, which began from the third session, and received a remarkable response from various segments of society.

A world-class training destination Dubai's prime location and exceptional infrastructure have made it a preferred training destination for world-class
sports teams, international athletes and world stars. Dubai has also strengthened its position as a destination for the best training academies that have the latest international training methods in the most prominent games and competitions, which are working to prepare international stars for the future. Dubai has more than 400 academies offering specialized training in all kinds of sports, and more than 100 public and private sports clubs.
Thanks to Dubai's typical winter weather and its state-of-the-art sports facilities and facilities, in 2022 Dubai attracted training camps and friendly matches for more than 50 international teams in various sports including swimming, modern pentathlon, cycling, tennis, football, badminton, cricket, rugby and golf.


As one of the best places in the world to live, work and visit, Dubai has become a magnet for international sports stars. Among the world's top sports stars who visited Dubai this winter to enjoy luxury hospitality facilities and unique sporting destinations were Lionel Messi, Argentina national football team stars, Brazilian football stars Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Dunga, Romario, Rivaldo and many more, English football stars Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah, Liverpool football team players Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Indian cricket star Virat Kohli.
Dubai's popularity as a holiday destination for international sports stars has undoubtedly cemented its position as one of the world's largest sports tourism destinations. Dubai's diversified comprehensive calendar of international sporting tournaments and events, world-class luxury hospitality, state-of-the-art connectivity, state-of-the-art infrastructure and unique facilities has placed Dubai at the heart of global sports tourism.