This year's Globe Soccer conference will see some of the leading figures in world football descend on Dubai as speakers and guests of honour for the two-day event starting on December 28.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlo Ancelotti and Michel Platini are just a few of the names taking part the ninth Dubai International Sports Conference at the Atlantis Hotel, which this year will focus entirely on football.
Uefa president Platini will speak on his ideas to improve the game and is expected to showcase some opposing views to those of Fifa counterpart Sepp Blatter, especially in regard to the growing use of technology.
The organisers are stressing that the conference is not merely a platform for big names to deliver their views, but also a source of ideas and initiatives intended to benefit Dubai’s sporting clubs and associations, as well as the general public.
Dr Aysha Al Busmait, board member of organisers Dubai Sports Council, revealed that the conference would follow a recent government decree by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, to conduct a survey that measures the level of resident satisfaction regarding sporting facilities and events.
“Over the eight previous editions, we have had 110 recommendations,” she said. “This year we have a new initiative. The government has announced the Saada [Satisfaction] Index, and today we are launching the Saada Sports Index. It is targeting the clubs and fans. We will announce the results during the conference.”
With Real Madrid taking on AC Milan in the Dubai Football Challenge 2014 on December 30 at the Sevens ground, it is no surprise that the event has strong Spanish-Italian axis.
The Spanish giants will be represented by president Florentino Perez, who will discuss the club’s 10th Uefa Champions League triumph and what it means to them globally and financially.
From AC Milan, new coach Filippo Inzaghi and strikers Stephan El Shaarawy and Fernando Torres will be at the conference. Real Madrid’s neighbours and Primera Liga title holders Atletico Madrid will also be present in the form of chief executive Miguel Angel Gil, who will discuss his club’s renaissance under Diego Simeone.
Germany’s World Cup triumph will be highlighted by the man who scored the winning goal in the final against Argentina, Mario Gotze of Bayern Munich. The vice president of the German football association will also shed light on the long-term planning and faith in coaching staff that led to victory in Brazil.
Others present will be Fabio Capello, Arjen Robben, Patrick Kluivert, Robert Pires, agent Jorge Mendes and Fawaz Al Hasawi, the Kuwaiti owner of Nottingham Forest.
The organisers hope the conference will be beneficial for Dubai’s football clubs, who will be represented at the event, which has not always been the case.
“We have had big turnouts, but many of the intended targets at the clubs are the ones who have had disappointing showings,” Dr Al Busmait said. “We are saying to them, this conference is for you.”
akhaled@thenational.ae
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