Record 1,200 athletes from 56 countries for Dubai World Air Games

A record number of 1200 athletes from 56 countries have been confirmed for 2015 Dubai World Air Games (WAG) at the Sky Dive Dubai from December 1 to 12.

The programme for Dubai WAG 2015 was finalised and released to the international and UAE media representatives at a press conference at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel on Monday,

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the nearly two-week long competition promises to take airsports to a different level.

The World Air Games is an international air sports event organised by FAI, the world governing body for air sports, and inspired by the Olympic Games

FAI president John  Grubbstrom was confident Dubai is the ideal destination to put up the best-ever edition of the Games.

The last edition of the World Air Games was hosted by Italy in 2009.

“Every time I have been to the UAE I have seen the organising committee striving for excellence and creativity at everything they do. These are two elements that will certainly go a long way in handing us one of the best editions of the World Air Games,” Grubbstrom said.

“In the past we have had the World Air Games in Turkey (1997), in Spain (2001) and in Italy (2009). “But we could not have thought of a better place than Dubai to achieve the staging of a dream Games. This is the most peaceful and secure place that I have been to. The people are friendly and accommodating and we have some of the best infrastructure in the world to stage possibly the best Games in the history of the FAI. I am convinced that this championship will be a great success,” he added.

"Every year we have approximately 50 world or continental championships but they are single air sports on different locations.
Druing FAI World Air Games we combine all sports on one location to showcase all the different aspects of air sports to really find out who is the best of the best. And I can think of no better place than Dubai. We have experience of the location and great confidence in the location," said Grubbstrom endorsing the Dubai International Parachuting Championships.

Grubbstrom promised a "safe and clean" World Air Games and spectators a thrilling spectacle when competitors take to the air.

"Air sports are clean. We have no hooligans, no match fixing, no doping and we are very environmentally aware. Air sports are also fair and the rules are very simple. Play it safe, be competitive and have fun. Always safety first," said Grubbstrom who expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Hamdan, a professional sky diver himself, for his patronage to the Games.

"FAI is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the body that governs all air sports around the world. Air is our arena  and thats where we play our games," said Grubbstrom who hopes to create responsible people for the next generation through air sports.

"Sports is not only physical. It's also mind. Air sports provides a good balance between physical and intellectual ability and passion is the driving force in sport," explained Grubbstrom who urged people to come and watch the action live to feel the excitement.

Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee Saeed Hareb thanked Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, for his continued support and endless contribution to the sports sector.

“It is contributions like these that have made the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Dubai the leading destination for hosting sports events. Dubai has become well-known for hosting several international sports-related events throughout the year, and this, in turn, has helped our talented and experienced sports professionals to raise the level of sporting excellence,” Hareb noted.

“Our leaders are constantly pushing us towards innovation while carrying out our tasks through the use of smart practices. Today Dubai and the UAE stand as a symbol of an ultra-modern city that has been built on the very foundations of heritage and a glorious culture. And the participation of a record 1,200 athletes from 56 nations stands testimony to the work the organising committee has done so far,” said Hareb, who is also secretary general of the Dubai Sports Council.

“Our previous successes in all fields stand as testimony to what we can achieve. We have all the elements needed to ensure an excellent World Air Games. We are convinced that Dubai will stage Games to remember for a long time to come,” he added.

Dubai WAG Championship Director Yousef Al Hammadi reviewing the preparations that have been made so far, disclosed that the organizing committee has constantly been in touch with members of the FAI to ensure that only the best practices are adhered to while meeting organisational demands.

“Since the past three years we have been staging our annual competition. During the course of these activities we have played host to some of the biggest names from the aero sports industry. So hosting a competition like the World Air Games is not just a welcome challenge but also an opportunity for us to continue showcasing Dubai to the world. In just a short time Dubai has managed to carve its own name on the world stage,” said Yousef Al Hammadi.

The organising committee has revealed a list of 28 sporting disciplines that have been included on the official programme during the course of the Dubai World Air Games.

Some of these include aerobatics, man-powered flying, hot gas air balloons and fuel-filled air balloons, hand-gliders, aeroplane races and landing skills, as well as gliding, aero-modelling, helicopter races and all sorts of parachuting and para-motor flying.

Competitions will be held across four locations in Dubai - Marina Dropzone, Margham Dropzone, Jebel Ali racecourse and Sufooh beach - in addition to activities at Dubai Mall Ice Rink while a medical symposium will be held at Meydan Hotel.

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