The successful SportAccord International Convention 2010 Dubai has left an enduring legacy for the region to sustain their growth and reignite their passion to stage major international sporting events.
The record number of delegates – more than over 1,500 from 60 countries – that attended the six-day summit at the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah Dubai are positive that there is only one way forward and no turning back for UAE as a favoured sporting destination. "It is for Dubai to decide what is it's strategy forward, what they want to do, what are the events they want to get involved," said Anna Hellman, Executive Director of SportAccord who was "overwhelmed" by the event held in the Middle East for the first time.
Fifa President Joseph Blatter, Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe, Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid and former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan were among the featured speakers.
The opening ceremony for the event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, and his wife, Princess Haya bint Al Hussain, President of the Dubai Organising Committee for the 2010 SportAccord Convention, President of the International Equestrian Federation and member of the International Olympic Committee.
Princess Haya was also a featured panelist at one of the convention's plenary sessions, titled 'Sport's role as a leader in sustainability'. 'Sport in the Middle East', 'The changing geography of sport' and 'The autonomy of sport' were also examined extensively.
"It's my first opportunity to visit SportAccord and it's so relevant to what we are doing in London. It's one opportunity to bring all international federations and wider bodies of all the sport under one roof. It is not only inspiring presentations and great convention and conference facilities, but also wonderful opportunity to network and learn and meet various international bodies. To do that in Dubai and here at the Atlantis is a double pleasure," said Malcolm Ross, Executive Director of Operations and Venues, Olympic Park Legacy Company speaking to Emirates Business.
"I can't overemphasise the sheer delight and honour that I've had on the panel sitting next to Her Royal Highness. Princess Haya is the most revered woman certainly in Dubai and UAE for what she has done and achieved in her life. Just to listen to her during some of the discussions was an inspiring moment. I have to pinch myself I'm back here in Dubai and having the opportunity and delight to share that panel and forum on stage with her," said Ross.
Speaking on the Middle East perspective in relation to their preparation for London 2012, he said: "I have a simple mandate – you can always adopt and adapt. We are going to learn from all the lessons of previous Olympic Games and other major sports event. I think there is no reason that other parts of world including Midde East, particularly the UAE, can't take up the thoughts and ideas and run away with it."
He was confident that Dubai has what it takes to be a sporting powerhouse. "I'm a huge admirer of what's happening here in Dubai where I have lived and worked for three years. What I've seen is Sheikh Mohammed with all of his passion for sport, using sport as a way to generate the excitement of Dubai with multifaceted sports operations and venues," he said.
"Dubai has already started that. I have no doubt that they will continue the great work they have started and push forward into the future."
On the London Olympics, he was cautiously optimistic, saying their aim to regenerate a 100 hectare site in East London would succeed. "We have every confidence that we will be getting people into sport, into an active lifestyle and recreation. It is a huge win-win for the Olympic Park Legacy Company and most importantly for the communities of East London. It's an area that has been economically, environmentally and socially deprived. It's a long 20-year journey to create 10,000 new homes, 10,000 plus jobs to regenerate, reinvigorate and renergise that area," he said.
The initial budget was £9.3 billion to create and build infrastructure and the venues for the Olympic Games. "Seventy-five per cent is for long term sustainable regeneration. Infrastructure and utilities, some of them are below ground level. That will be there for many decades to come. That's the foundation," he said.
"The core in our London 2012 legacy is sport. It is not about buildings, not about money. It is about using and channelling the excitement. Make local community feel like they own the site, own the park. Give them multiple choices to comeback with family and friends. To give them healthy lifestyle. It's a pretty inspirational and awesome goal," said Ross.