DSC given authority over team disciplines

A new law has extended the authority of the Dubai Sports Council, bringing professional team sports within the council's purview for the first time.

DUBAI // A new law has extended the authority of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), bringing professional team sports within the council's purview for the first time. By giving the DSC control over such sports as football, rugby and cricket, the law allows the council to play a key role in developing Dubai's stature as an international sporting destination. The DSC was founded in 2005, but, until now, its authority has been limited to individual disciplines such as tennis, swimming and martial arts, and to recreational sports such as basketball. Its expanded remit will include overseeing events such as the Dubai Rugby Sevens and international cricket matches.

"This law begins a new era for the DSC," said Dr Ahmed al Sharif, secretary general of the DSC. "Previously, we have worked with some sports, but this new law gives us full authority to work with all clubs and organisations within the sports field. This will include close liaison with ministries, institutes and federations that are associated with sport. Our umbrella has become much bigger, and this new power will help the DSC attract big events to Dubai."

Bruce Morton, development manager of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, welcomed an extension of government backing of sport in Dubai and hoped that the move would give team sports greater representation. "Any involvement from government in developing sport is a fantastic initiative," Mr Morton said. "We have already established a relationship with the DSC but look forward to extending it as a result of this law.

"I am hopeful that this ruling will give greater impetus to our development programmes and that the DSC will be influential in pushing our objectives at a higher level." The DSC has taken the lead in preparations for the Beach Soccer World Cup, to be held in Dubai from November 16 to 22, and orchestrated Dubai's hosting of the world short course swimming championships, to be held in the emirate at the end of 2010.

Organising these events has seen the DSC extend its influence beyond local and community sports and forge partnerships with international sporting bodies such as Fifa and the International Swimming Federation. The new law was accompanied by a reconstituted DSC board of directors. New members include Matar Mohammed al Tayer as deputy chairman. The new members would bring energy and fresh ideas to the organisation, Dr al Sharif said. All sporting bodies in the UAE elect board members every four years, in a custom that follows that of the executive board of the International Olympic Committee.