Sport in Abu Dhabi Announced as Official Partner

Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) are pleased to announce Sport in Abu Dhabi as the Official Partner of the Leaders Sports Business Summit, London taking place at Stamford Bridge, 2-6 October 2017.

Showcasing Abu Dhabi as a global capital of sport for teams, federations, governing bodies, athletes and enthusiasts, Sport in Abu Dhabi was created by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to drive sports tourism to the Emirate. The new initiative will use the joint portfolio of sports and tourism event platforms to encourage new visitors to train, watch or play sport in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE capital’s sporting calendar boasts some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events including the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, golf’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the breakthrough Abu Dhabi Tour on the UCI WorldTour, the opening event of the ITU World Triathlon Series and the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.

Having played host to the 2009 and 2010 editions of the FIFA Club World Cup, Abu Dhabi will once again host the event from 6-16 December 2017. The tournament  is set to feature reigning UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid alongside other Champions League winners from around the world. In addition the UAE will, for the first time ever, host the 24-nation 2019 AFC Asian Cup UAE with Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City, Mohammed Bin Zayed, Hazza Bin Zayed and Al Nahyan stadiums all set to stage tournament matches. Abu Dhabi has also hosted two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race and an allocation of matches during the 2014 Indian Premier League.

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary, Abu Dhabi Sports Council commented: “We are thrilled to be showcasing Sport in Abu Dhabi through this unique partnership with Leaders Sports Business Summit. We are inviting the world to come to Abu Dhabi to watch, train and compete here. Abu Dhabi offers world-class training facilities for teams, federations and athletes, as well as unique spectator and competitor sporting experiences. We are committed to making Abu Dhabi a global capital for sport and this important relationship is another milestone on our journey.”

Alongside its founding partners, Sport in Abu Dhabi is made possible via its principal partners Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Flash Entertainment, Nirvana Travel and Tourism and its official partners Abu Dhabi Cricket, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club, Rotana Hotels, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Sporta Tours.

His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi commented: “Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive sporting portfolio and schedule of high-profile sporting, cultural and family friendly events allows us to forge an international reputation for the emirate as a global tourism destination. Abu Dhabi’s magnificent infrastructure, numerous sport-focused tourist events, international partnership branding arrangements and multi-stakeholder approach to the development of the sector provide excellent platforms to achieve this. Our key aims are to create ‘top-of-mind’ awareness of Abu Dhabi among travellers as well as increase the number of people visiting Abu Dhabi to enjoy our unique hospitality.”

Simon Lau, COO, Leaders commented: “We are delighted that Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority have chosen Leaders as the global platform to launch ‘Sport in Abu Dhabi’.  We look forward to welcoming the team to London to showcase their vision, world-class facilities for professional teams, and ability to host and attract major sporting events.”

Celebrating its tenth year, the world-renowned Leaders Sport Business Summit at Chelsea FC, London is the showpiece event of Leaders Week. The two-day event is one of the most prestigious, content-rich events in the sport business calendar and will gather 1,800 director-level executives from all over the world to share knowledge and spark discussions that will help shape the future of sport.

To find out more about Sport in Abu Dhabi visit sportinabudhabi.ae.