$10 million Dubai World Cup wins five-star ranking

The $10 million Dubai World Cup, the richest horse race in the world, was awarded five-star ranking along with three other sporting events in the  ‘Sports Events Ranking System’ initiated by Dubai Sports Council (DSC).

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the DP World Tour Championship and Dubai Tour were the other winners of the five-star category who were selected from among 87 events.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council  ratified the results of the ‘Sports Events Ranking System’, an initiative launched by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) to rank sports events according to 13 criteria and 29 key performance indicators (KPIs), and classify them under specific categories.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai International Marine Club presented awards to the top four winners after the results were announced at a gala ceremony on Monday night at Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa.

"It (five-star ranking) represents a very important milestone. We believe very much its an appreciation for the efforts of Meydan in horse racing industry," said Mohammed Al Shehhi, board member of Meydan who received the award.

He said this would spur on the Dubai World Cup to even greater heights.

"I think it will give us a great push on how to perform ourselves in future. We are looking forward to the World Cup for the 21st time. Meydan always surprises everybody. Every year they are much better than the year before. We believe it will be another very succesful season," added Al Shehhi.

Director of the Dubai Tour, Huraiz Al Murr bin Huraiz, said the five-star ranking after just two editions shows they are on the right track.

"This tells me we have a great team organising the Tour. No doubt we being able to compete with organisations such as Dubai Tennis, golf and World Cup which has been there for many years, makes us very proud. Definitely dedicate this award to the team working behind Dubai Tour," he said.

The five-star award was another feather in the cap for Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice President - Dubai Duty Free and Tournament Director, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

"It means a lot. I'm very thrilled and it gives me lot of pride. We have been there for last 23 years we are really happy that we got it. We deserve it," said an elated Tahlak.

"For the last 12 years in ATP 500 we have been winning as the best tournament voted by the players," he said.

Tahlak said they would not be resting on their laurels.

"That (five-star ranking) will give us more responsibility to look at things in a different angle. May be there are lot of things we don't see. That will give us some benchmark to give us some guidelines," said Tahlak who is the first person from  the UAE, GCC and the Arab world to be a member of both the WTA and ATP Tournament Councils.

The 2014-2015 Sports Events Ranking System uses a star rating system to rank sports events according to the quality of their event management and organisation.

The System also classifies the events under five major categories: Event Development, Economic Development, Sports Development, Social Development and Brand Development.
 
“The new Sports Events Ranking System is part of the UAE’s efforts to set new global benchmarks for excellence in every sphere of life including the sports sector. The new System is one of the examples of creativity and innovation that Dubai has shown in advancing quality and standards, in line with the vision of Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” said the Crown Prince of Dubai in a statement wherein he appreciated the efforts of DSC’s local associates to create and implement the innovative System, which is the first of its kind in the world.
 
Sheikh Hamdan added: “On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of DSC, we are pleased to present the first set of results of the Sports Event Ranking System, which is primarily aimed at promoting the continuous development of benchmarks in sports events by using relevant and meaningful tools for measuring standards.”

Deputy Chairman of DSC Mater Al Tayer extended his appreciation to Sheikh Hamdan for his unlimited support for the development of the sports sector and encouragement in instilling a culture of excellence and creativity in sporting activities in both government and private sectors.
 
“We are pleased that DSC has taken proactive steps to launch this System as per the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, who advocates the application of best practices in administration and innovation, in order to showcase to the world the high levels of excellence that we maintain,” said Al Tayer.
 
“More than 400 local, regional and international events are organised in Dubai every year. The Sports Events Ranking System is launched in such a way that accommodates these events and expects the implementation of the highest standards of transparency and accuracy in work. In June 2014, DSC held a workshop for all organisers of sports events in the government and private sectors to explain the details and procedures of the System. Today we are unveiling the results of the first edition of the System covering 87 events, which meet the applicable conditions. The results include full reports submitted by the Organising Committee, DSC and of course, the spectators of each event whose voice is the most important,” he added.
 
This system aims at improving the regulating standards for sporting events in Dubai and aligning the development of the sports industry with the goals of the Government of Dubai and the Dubai Sport Council's strategy.

Sporting events have been classified into international and national categories.

The elements of each category have their own significance according to the overall developments of Event Management, as well as Economic Development, Sport Development, Social Development and Brand Development.
 
The Events Development are evaluated and classified according to a number of criteria: Event Management, Financial, Logistical and Technological aspects, as well as the extent of female participation.

Each has a score that is taken into account in the classification. The Economic development of the event is measured through factors that have to do with the development of Tourism and Business, each having a score that has an impact on the result.

The same applies to Sport Development which includes Sports Performance and Excellence and Sports Participation.

The event's Social Development is measured according to its role in inspiring the community and enhancing an integrated Dubai community, and lastly Branding Development includes Image Development and Media Coverage.
 
The information concerning the evaluation of each event can be obtained through answering 37 questions concerning the different aspects of organising an event and its impact on society.

Twenty of these answers concern the sponsor of the event and represent 54 per cent of the final result, five are addressed to spectators and/or participants and represent 16 per cent of the final result, while 11 concern the professional team formed by Dubai Sport Council  and comprise 30 per cent of the final result.

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