'Sport is integral to Dubai's growth'

Leaders from the world of sport have gathered in Dubai for SportAccord, the world's largest sports convention. The meeting, being held for the first time in the Middle East, brings together members of the International Olympic Committee's powerful executive board, the leaders of global sports federations and top executives from the industry. Ahead of the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took time out to discuss the role of sport in Dubai, the emirate's long-term aspirations and the significance of SportAccord for Dubai.

Following is the full text of the interview.

Your Highness, what is your assessment of the role of sports in the UAE and Dubai?

Sports is an integral part of the growth strategy for Dubai for multiple reasons. The economic benefits are obvious. Every time we host a major international sporting event, it generates income for Dubai and raises our international profile. Our world-class venues and other quality infrastructure have helped make Dubai a top destination on the global sports calendar.

More importantly, our focus on sport protects our health and our heritage. Life was much harder in the pre-modern era, but it was also much more active. It was an outdoor lifestyle. Modernisation and prosperity have brought many benefits to Dubai and the UAE, but people are more sedentary. You can see the results in rising rates of obesity and diabetes. About 40 per cent of our children have diabetes. That is unacceptable. Playing sports is one way to address those problems.

Equestrian sports and sailing sports have a direct link to our past. I want to maintain those traditions as we adopt other sports from other cultures. Schools throughout the UAE have taken steps in recent years to encourage participation in sports and physical activity. High profile sporting competitions help that process by inspiring people to become participants as well as spectators.

Why is it important to host SportAccord?

The selection of Dubai to host the first SportAccord convention in the Middle East is another important step in our emergence as a centre for global sport. Hosting sport leaders from around the world will help create new partnerships. Our guests learn about this region. We will learn more about their specialised business. It will help our region play a bigger role in the world of sport. Sport always breaks down barriers between people. This convention is part of that process.

If I may ask a somewhat personal question, you are known as a world leader in equestrian sports, both as a competitor and as a breeder. How did that interest develop?

It is in my blood. It is part of my heritage. I love riding. I love being around horses. They are noble animals, and the more you get to know them, the more they give back. The magnificent Arabian horse is from this land, and it sired the thoroughbreds that are prized around the world today. So when the best riders and the best horses come here to race, they are, in a sense, coming home. That link is very important to me. It was the motivation behind Meydan, Dubai's new racecourse complex. It is another example of how our growth strategy for sports ties back to our heritage.

There has been much speculation among the international media, and some very pointed comments about competition between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, what does Your Highness have to say about this?

Of course, it makes good media to talk about alleged conflicts or competition between emirates. But no matter what people say, we are one nation, with one President, one Government, and I am privileged to serve a unified people.

Our country has so much to offer, in terms of wealth, resources, but most importantly, to me, human capital, and everyone wants a piece of the cake. But it must always be understood that the UAE is a family, literally hundreds of generations of tribal links, and blood is thicker than water.

I have worked throughout my life for this country, I was a soldier who was honoured to serve the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and my late father Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, to create the first federal structure in the Middle East, the UAE. Now, I work shoulder to shoulder with Sheikh Zayed's son's to build a bright future for our children, but I am proudest of all to work under the guidance of our President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed.

On another topic, where do things stand with Dubai's bid for 2020 Olympics?

It is important to understand that, as of this moment, there is no bid. All we are doing now is evaluating whether we should pursue that goal. We are conducting feasibility studies to evaluate the costs and benefits of a bid, and our ability to meet the criteria to host the Olympic Games.

No matter what we decide in terms of a possible bid, this process will be good for Dubai. It will help us identify the strengths and weaknesses of our transportation systems, our tourism facilities, our sports venues and other vital infrastructure. This learning process will benefit Dubai even if we never bid for the Olympic Games.

From what you know now, do you think Dubai would have a chance for the Olympic Games?

We have a lot to offer. Dubai already has a well-developed infrastructure and a good track record of staging international sporting events, although admittedly not on the scale of the Olympic Games. In keeping with Olympic values, Dubai is home to people from many different nationalities and cultures who live in friendship and peace across the emirate. There is a strong 'can do' culture here.

But we have to be realistic. The summer heat can be a problem for athletes. We will have to take an honest look at our weaknesses and our strengths. I can assure you of this, though: If we decide to make a bid for the Olympics, we will be in it to win. We would not take such a step unless we were quite serious about it.

Dubai 2020: A Vision

To build upon his vision for the future, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, launched the 'Dubai 2020' initiative in June last year.

Central to this project, a Working Group of government and private sector representatives has been appointed to explore the potential of Dubai hosting the World Expo and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

Bringing together these two world events in one place – each for the first time in the Middle East – would be a unique proposition, uniting business, science and technology with sport, education and culture.

As per the decree issued by Sheikh Mohammed, the Working Group is chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, while Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice-Chairman.

The members of the Working Group are Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group and Chairman of the Supreme Fiscal Committee of Dubai Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum; Director of Dubai Ruler's Court Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani; Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Abdul Rahman Mohammed Nassir Al Owais; Commander General of Dubai Police Lt General Dahi Khalfan Tamim; Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussein Nasser Lootah; Chairman and Executive Director of RTA Matar Mohammed Al Tayer; Director General of Dubai Healthcare Authority Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid; Media Escort to Sheikh Mohammed and Managing Director of Dubai Media Incorporated Ahmad Abdullah Al Shaikh; Yousuf Yacob Al Serkal; Chief Executive of Falcon and Associates Giselle Davies and Vice-Chairman of Falcon and Associates John Ferguson.

Sheikh Mohammed mandated Falcon and Associates to lead the Dubai 2020 project and Working Group.

Sports diary

Dubai has proved it is a world leader in staging major sporting events as exemplified by the Meydan all-weather racecourse, which conducted the 15th running of the Dubai World Cup – the richest horse race.

Following are some of the other events:

- Golf: Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club; the Dubai World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, which is the culmination of Race to Dubai (formerly European Order of Merit) and the

Dubai Ladies Masters

- Tennis: Dubai Tennis Championship for men and women

- Rugby: World Cup Sevens in 2009 and the opening leg of the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series

- Cricket: Pakistan vs England series at Dubai Sports City

- Powerboat: Class 1 World Powerboat Championship

- Bodybuilding: Inaugural world championship conducted by the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation

The World Expo

The World Expo is a large-scale, global, non-commercial Expo. The hosting of the World Expo must be applied for by a country and approved by the international World Expo committee. Expo aims to promote the exchange of ideas and development of the world economy, culture, science and technology, to allow exhibitors to publicise and display their achievements and improve international relationships. Accordingly, the World Expo, with its 150-year history, is regarded as the Olympic Games of the economy, science and technology.

The Olympic Games take place every four years. The World Expo takes place every five years. The two events coincide in the same year every 20 years. 

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