The world’s number one networking event for the leaders of international sport is to be held in Dubai this year - the first time ever in the Middle East.
Leading host is Dubai Sports Council, working with President of the Dubai Organising Committee for the 2010 SportAccord Convention, President of the International Equestrian Federation, member of the International Olympic Committee, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.
The Atlantis resort on Palm Jumeirah Island, Dubai, will be the venue for the SportAccord Convention 2010 Dubai, a gathering of 1,500 representatives from the sporting world, including delegates from more than 100 international sports federations and organisations, taking place from 25-30 April 2010.
In keeping with Dubai’s identity as an international hub, the SportAccord Convention 2010 conference themes are the changing geography of international sport and sport’s key role in the big issues on the global agenda. Among topics will be the role of sport as an agent of social change; sport in the Middle East; sport as a leader in sustainable development; autonomy of sport; and sponsorship in sport.
Princess Haya headed the top table at a press conference today (Tuesday 12 January 2010) at which further details of the SportAccord Convention 2010 Dubai were unveiled.
Princess Haya was joined by Dr Ahmed Al Sharif, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council and Vice President of Dubai Organising Committee; Andrew Ryan, Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, a founding association of the Convention; and Anna Hellman, Executive Director of Lausanne, Switzerland, based SportAccord Convention.
“Sport is of special importance in Dubai and we are delighted to have this unique opportunity to welcome our international sporting partners,” said Dr Sharif. “The Convention is by far the world’s most important gathering of the international sport movement and Dubai will provide the ideal platform to explore sport-related partnerships and sport infrastructure development.”
Hellman said: “Not only is Dubai a leading trade, tourism and business hub, it is also a city with an enviable infrastructure as well as considerable experience of hosting world class events. Being at the crossroads of east and west, Dubai provides a special opportunity to express the global role of our gathering for the decision makers of world sport.”
SportAccord Dubai 2010 will feature an exhibition, networking receptions and top-level conference sessions as well as the annual general meetings of sport governing bodies. There will also be the City Forum, focusing on the needs and concerns of international cities that bid for and host sporting events.
Underlining the importance of the event, Hellman added: “The Convention is held in a different country each year encompassing the congresses and general assemblies of international sports federations and their related associations. These federations hold the rights to scores of world championships and other annual sporting events.
“The Convention offers the international sports community an annual occasion to gather together in an authoritative networking environment to build relationships, expand horizons and broaden sport’s collective endeavours.”
Among confirmed speakers are HRH Princess Haya; Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia; Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General and President of the Global Humanitarian Forum; Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA; Christophe de Kepper, Chief of Staff of the International Olympic Committee; Romy Gai, CEO of the UAE Football League; Bernard Lapasset, Chairman of the International Rugby Board; and Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, host of the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Since SportAccord first took place in Madrid in 2003, the event has been held in Lausanne, Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Athens, Denver and now Dubai for 2010. The Convention receives the support of the International Olympic Committee and its President. “The event has evolved into a diverse community of people from across the sports spectrum and from all over the world, who value this unique opportunity to learn, to grow, and most of all to share,” Hellman added.
As the host of the 2010 SportAccord Convention, Dubai sees sport as a strategic component in its development agenda, Dr Sharif added. “Dubai already hosts many world-renowned sporting and entertainment events and its attraction is further enhanced by high-profile venues including Meydan and Dubai Sports City.”
Sporting events in Dubai include the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup (November 2009); the FINA 25-metre Swimming Championship 2010; Dubai World Cup, one of the most important horse racing events in the world, this year at Meydan City; the UIM Class 1 World Offshore Powerboat Championship; the A1 Grand Prix Of Nations at Dubai Autodrome which also hosts the FIA GT Championship as well as the first 24-hour race in the Middle East; Dubai Tennis Open, attracting most of the world’s top players; Dubai Desert Classic, attracting many of the world’s leading golfers; and Dubai Rugby Sevens, the opening round of the IRB Sevens World featuring the best Seven playing nations in the world.
