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Truyl spectacular Dubai Sports City will be a paradise for sports fans, featuring four stadia and a world-class golf course. Emirates Golf spoke to its CEO... |
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| Emirates Golf caught up with the CEO of Dubai Sports City, Mr U Balasubramaniam, to get the lowdown on the latest developments and plans for what is destined to become perhaps the world’s leading sporting destination. How did the idea for Dubai Sports City first come about? Dubai Sports City is the vision of three leading entrepreneurs from the United Arab Emirates - Abdulrahim Al Zarooni, Abdulrahman Bukhatir and Abdulrahman Falaknaz. The initial plans were to construct a stadium for cricket and hockey, but it grew into a much larger project. All of this tied in with HH Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of creating a world-class sporting infrastructure in Dubai. Tell us about your major sporting facilities. Dubai Sports City will feature four stadia: a 60,000-seat multi-purpose outdoor stadium for rugby, soccer and track and field events, a 25,000-seat capacity dedicated cricket stadium, a 10,000-seat multi-purpose indoor arena for hard-court games, ice hockey, concerts and other events, and a field hockey stadium for up to 5,000 spectators. The first completed facility was The Els Club, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ernie Els. By early 2009, Dubai Sports City will be the central point for world-renowned sporting academies including Manchester United Soccer Schools, the International Cricket Council’s own ICC Global Cricket Academy, the first Butch Harmon School of Golf outside the United States, the first-of-its-kind World Hockey Academy, and a David Lloyd Tennis Academy. The Els Club launched earlier this year – are you pleased with the way its established itself? We are very pleased. I believe that the reason for its success is all down to the planning and development. Ernie was involved every step of the way right up until it opened its doors. What are your plans for the ICC Cricket Stadium once it opens later this year? We are in active discussions with a number of national cricket boards and other teams, which cover possibilities ranging from full One-Day International series to one-off Twenty20 games. In addition, the facilities will give us the capability to host matches as part of training camps for the likes of English county teams and national “A” sides. Real estate forms a major part of Dubai Sports City. Can you tell us your thoughts about Victory Heights’ success and the environment you are looking to create on the site? We are not just selling properties; we are creating a lifestyle. Dubai Sport City’s vision is to be the world’s first integrated sports city incorporating world-class sporting facilities, premium residential properties, superb shopping, entertainment and dining, and a vibrant commercial district. Ernie Els has invested in some real estate with you; is he being joined by any other celebrities? We have received high interest from many sporting figures, including famous football and cricket stars. T: +00 971 1 425 1111 W: www.dubaisportscity.com |
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