News DeskDUBAI, UAE – The grand stage is set for the launch of the ambitious ‘Dubai Sports Retreat’ under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.
Organized by the Dubai Sports Council under the slogan ‘Dubai: The First Sports Destination,’ the ‘Dubai Sports Retreat’ will be held at the Museum of the Future on November 12. The event will feature distinguished attendance from decision-makers, specialists, and globally-acclaimed sports stars.
This unique event aims to shape the future of sports in Dubai over the next ten years (2025-2033) by enhancing achievements and partnerships with international sports federations, global organizers, and the private sector. It will focus on optimal investment of resources in the sporting arena, while attracting and developing future talents.
More than 100 top-level figures, including ministers, general managers in local sports-connected government departments, chairmen of the board of directors of clubs, football companies in Dubai, private companies, sports academies, event organizers, and accomplished sports stars, will participate.
Discussion Themes:
Participants are divided into six discussion tables based on their specializations:
- Community Sports
- Sports Infrastructure
- Hosting Major Sporting Events
- Sports Clubs
- Football
- Sporting Talents
The retreat will commence with a speech by His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, followed by two sessions of idea-sharing, dialogue, and discussion.
First Session Speakers:
- Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports
- Hilal Al Marri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai
- Hessa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai
- Ahmad Bin Byat, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Commercial Bank of Dubai
- Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah, Owner of the Dubai Basketball Team
Second Session Sports Stars:
- Khabib Nurmagomedov, Legendary MMA star and longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion
- Patrice Evra, Former France and Manchester United skipper
- Fadi Al Khatib, Lebanese basketball superstar
- Sania Mirza, Former world number one doubles player from India
- Harbhajan Singh, Indian cricketer
Additional participants include ex-Arsenal and Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna of France and influential Iraqi footballer Nashat Akram, among others.
Partnership and Cooperation:
His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul emphasized the importance of the retreat: “The Dubai Sports Retreat is a fundamental pillar in our work for the next stage because we believe that everyone has a role in determining priorities and achievements during the next stage which will concentrate on achieving more growth and development for the sports sector. We are working to ensure that the sports sector is equally developed alongside all other sectors in Dubai and the UAE. This process includes forming partnerships and cooperation with various government entities and the private sector, as well as organizers, international sports federations, sports stars, academies and investors.”
