7.52 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Sheikh Hamdan launches Dh1.1bn Dubai Sports Complex

Sheikh Hamdan meets officials at the Dubai Sports Complex on Sunday. (WAM)

Published
By Staff

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, on Sunday launched the Dubai Sports Complex, which was built at an estimated cost of Dh1.1 billion.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, who accompanied Sheikh Hamdan, briefed him about the project, developed by the General Projects Department of the Municipality.

The multi-purpose stadium is situated off Dubai Bypass Road at a sprawling 61 acres of land. The aquatic centre will be hosting the 10th FINA World Swimming Championships from December 15-19, which is being held for the first time in an Arab country.

Dubai Aquatic centre, said to be the world's best indoor aquatic facility, is the key element of the arena located at the edge of Dubailand. The centre is a two-tier golden teardrop-shaped facility with an Olympic standard 50-metre pool along with another 50-metre pool with a moveable floor.

One of the most modern facilities in the world, the complex is designed to accommodate 15,000 spectators and host 10 Olympic sports including basketball, handball and volleyball plus several aquatic sports.

The facility will herald a golden era in aquatic events in the region once it successfully hosts the FINA championships in which 130 countries are expected to participate.

The project also includes changing rooms for 400 athletes, rooms for umpires and automatic control, a stadium that can accommodate 3,000 spectators, main reception area, VIP waiting area, other waiting areas, multi-purpose halls, health club, gymnasium, training pools and all other service facilities.

The project also has a group of restaurants, external garden with 100 trees, flower ponds, an open area for exercises, VIP car parking area, public parking areas for 1,500 cars, and an area for parking buses of clubs, schools, colleges and universities.

The project is unique in its architectural designs that are in line with highest international standards and specifications. While undertaking the project the Municipality took into consideration the characteristics of the area, the easiness to enter and exit as well as link to major roads.

Excellence beyond the call of duty

Meanwhile, yesterday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, has announced a new format for selecting the Distinguished Employee from among the thousands of Dubai Government staffers.

Dubai government employee awards: the drive to exceed expectations

 

While initiating an internal channel of communication across Dubai Government, Sheikh Hamdan chose 'excellence' as the ideal subject for his first communiqué.

Employees of Dubai government came to office today to a pleasant surprise when they found a personal e-mail message from Sheikh Hamdan in their inbox.

Sheikh Hamdan expressed his extreme delight at interacting with the government staff through the channel, saying that he selected ''excellence'' as the first theme topic to raise with the employees.

He said that he was confident the government employees would do better in the future but this needs more dedication, persistence, and creativity.

He reiterated commitment to targets set in Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 (DSP 2015) and "to support the development of our nation through the UAE Vision 2021".

"I am proud to say that exceeding expectations has been the norm in delivering your responsibilities towards this commitment so far. Without your hard work, it would not have been possible to be ahead of the targets of DSP 2015," Sheikh Hamdan wrote in an e-mailed message sent to all Dubai Government employees.

"I am confident that you will accomplish even more this year," he said, adding: "But the quest for excellence is a never-ending challenge. It requires continuous dedication, determination, innovation, and creativity applied to all of our tasks.

"We cannot be satisfied with the good; we have to target for the best," Sheikh Hamdan said.

As the countdown begins for acknowledging this year's distinguished employees, Sheikh Hamdan said he has decided awarding the distinguished employee to be different next year.

"So be prepared, in April 2011, for a great surprise and once-in-a-lifetime experience for one of you," he said.