Dubai strengthens its role in advancing the global sports sector: Sheikh Mansoor

Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, chaired a meeting of the Council’s Board of Directors to review key initiatives, strategic projects, and major sporting events aimed at further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for sport.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mansoor affirmed that Dubai continues to play a leading role in launching initiatives that contribute to advancing the global sports sector and reinforcing its vital role in supporting communities and urban economies.

He noted that sport plays a fundamental role in empowering different segments of society, attracting and developing talent, promoting health and wellbeing, enhancing quality of life, and delivering wider benefits across both sporting and community spheres.

Sheikh Mansoor commended the efforts of the Ministry of Sports, the UAE National Olympic Committee, and the sports federations that oversaw competitions during the last sports season.

He also praised the efforts of clubs across various sports and competitions, stressing that strong competition creates strong teams and enhances the capabilities and competitiveness of athletes in local, continental, and international championships.

Sheikh Mansoor congratulated Dubai Basketball Club on its remarkable performance in EuroLeague and its qualification for the Adriatic League final, after securing two consecutive victories in the final series being held in Dubai and Belgrade. The achievement reflects the success of this pioneering sports project, which has established itself as an investment-based club capable of competing with and defeating major European teams within just two seasons of its establishment.

Sheikh Mansoor also congratulated Hatta Club on winning the UAE Division One football title and securing promotion to the UAE Pro League, as well as United Club, which finished second and qualified for the professional league for the first time in its history. He also congratulated Palm City 365 Club, formerly Al Qabila FC, on winning the new edition of the UAE FA Cup, organised by the UAE Football Association, after defeating Hatta Club at Al Maktoum Stadium in Al Nasr Club.

These clubs represent successful models of investment clubs in Dubai, with strong potential for continued growth and excellence in competitions, while inspiring other investment clubs to follow the same path and qualify for the professional league.

The meeting was attended by Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council; Board members Ali Al Mutawa, Ahmed Al Khaja, Dr. Abdullah Al Karam, Majid Al Usaimi, and Safia Al Sayegh; and Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council.

The meeting reviewed preparations for organising the second edition of the ‘World Sports Summit’, which has become an exceptional global platform and a qualitative addition that reinforces Dubai’s leadership as a global hub shaping the future of the sports sector.

The Board also reviewed a detailed report on the inaugural edition of the summit, which achieved significant success in attracting leading sports figures, decision-makers, and stakeholders from across the sector.

Sheikh Mansoor said the summit has established its global standing and achieved significant success in unifying efforts to advance sports worldwide. He said it has also strengthened collaboration between sports federations, organisations, event organisers, and investors to advance a vital sector that impacts the lives of people around the world.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mansoor reviewed plans to accelerate support for government and private clubs in Dubai and discussed progress on the ‘Club Accelerators Programme’, which aims to support four government-owned clubs, namely Al Wasl, Al Nasr, Shabab Al Ahli, and Hatta, as well as 13 private clubs, in achieving sustainable growth by linking funding to performance indicators. The programme seeks to increase the share of commercial and private revenues at clubs to 50% of total revenues by 2033.