The success of the Qatar World Cup should cement the Middle East's status as a leading destination for major sporting events, a UAE minister said.
Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy, said he was excited by the potential of sport to drive tourism and trade and bring new talent and more jobs to the region.
Hundreds of thousands of people are enjoying the festival of football in Doha, while fan zones dotted throughout the Emirates have been packed with a multicultural mix of supporters cheering on their teams.
Mr bin Touq, speaking at the Investopia Future of Sport conference in Dubai on Thursday, said large-scale events such as the World Cup and Expo 2020 Dubai can "bring people together" and shine a positive light on the region.
“Sports investment brings in tourism, talent, creates jobs and builds infrastructure,” Mr bin Touq said.
“We are very excited about the potential of sport, we have seen what Doha has done with the World Cup and for the region.
“It has created a lot of investment and trade routes. Sport brings people together and we see that with big events like the World Cup, and with Expo 2020.
“This region should continue to be a place where major international events can be hosted.”
The UAE’s economy achieved 6.5 per cent growth in 2022 and is expected to climb to 7 per cent in 2023, Mr bin Touq said.
Visa reforms and a move to allow 100 per cent foreign ownership of businesses were cited as contributing factors in how the UAE had changed in the past 24 months to encourage economic prosperity.
Expanded World Cup broadens sporting horizons
In 2026, 48 teams will qualify for an expanded tournament to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.
The increase in teams will bolster the chances of countries such as India and China gracing the tournament in the future.
The UAE, which missed out on qualification this time round after losing to Australia in the Asian play-offs, could also benefit from the revamp.
Bernard Caiazzo, chairman of the supervisory board of France's AS Saint Etienne and president of the Global Football Alliance, said the UAE had huge potential for sporting success on and off the pitch.
“The Middle East has real importance for the future of football,” he said.
“The World Cup will go to 48 countries in four years, and the UAE was not far from qualifying in 2022, so it is very possible to get to the next tournament. There is great potential here.
“There is a new economy in sport. Sport has changed a lot in five years and it will continue to evolve.”
During the two-day forum, speakers discussed how to shape the future of football, how to build stadiums to enhance the fan experience and how investors can inject cash into clubs to improve the global game.
Partnerships with Spanish clubs and the UAE have already reaped rewards. In 2017, La Liga partnered with Du telecoms to launch the UAE Football Association Academy League to develop under-18 talent.
In September, La Liga signed a letter of intent ahead of a 15-year partnership with Dubai-based Esports organisation Galaxy Racer in the hope of transforming the Spanish league’s brand presence in the Mena region and India.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, announced that it will open a first international theme park, at Dubai Parks and Resorts.
Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, said investment opportunities into established leagues would continue to globalise the game.
“In Spain we work on football, but the UAE has given us an opportunity to expand,” he said.
“Sports management is becoming more important and we need to look at more talent around the world to help in the development of clubs and general advocacy of sport.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
RESULTS
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Abu%20Dhabi%E2%80%99s%20Racecard
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Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
