Maradona to continue as honorary sports ambassador of Dubai

The Dubai Sports Council has renewed the contract of Argentine legend Diego Maradona as the 'Honorary sports ambassador of Dubai' for one more year.

This was announced at a packed press conference held at the Raffles Hotel in Dubai on Tuesday by Dr. Ahmad Al Sharif, Secretary-General, Dubai Sports Council, in the presence of Maradona.

“Diego Maradona has been a legend on the field, and since the past one year, he has brought in so much added value to Dubai on and off the sports field,” Dr. Sharif noted in his opening remarks.

“Dubai has been the best and busiest sporting destinations in the Middle East. And with a personality like Diego Maradona we are confident Dubai will continue getting the attention it rightly deserves,” he added.

Maradona’s association with Dubai has a huge significance considering that the Fifa World Cup will be played in Brazil.

“For us, Diego Maradona has always been the true face of sports and sporting events we organise through the season. And with the Fifa World Cup in Brazil next year we are confident he will bring in much more through this association with Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council,” Dr. Ahmed said.

Maradona’s first appearance in the UAE was as coach for the Al Wasl Club’s senior football team.

However, after parting ways with the club, it was the personal initiative taken by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council that the Argentine footballer was offered the position of being an honorary ambassador.

Maradona has pursued his role as ambassador to the fullest at most major sporting events held in Dubai during the past season.

As chief guest at the final of the Samsung Inter Continental Beach Soccer Cup held at Festival City he displayed his ball skills to an appreciative audience.

In February, Maradona regularly attended matches at the Dubai Tennis Championships, and on one occasion even went down on centre court to play a few points against fellow Argentine Juan Martin del Potro. During the women’s tennis, Maradona presented an autographed jersey to former world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

Maradona, 52, is a crucial member of the Dubai Sports Council team during the 1st Dubai Government Entities Football Championships held in April.

After leaving Al Wasl Club, Maradona has been sought by foreign clubs as their coach, but the Argentine has loved the life in Dubai preferring to shun offers even from European clubs.
 

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