The value of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Creative Sport Award has been increased from Dh5 million (US$1.4m) to Dh10m ($2.7m) by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman the Dubai Sport Council, the state news agency, WAM, reported last night. Entries for the awards will be received from March 1 until May 31, with the winners to be announced in the third week of September. They will be presented in a special ceremony in Dubai in the last week of November.
The awards highlight the importance of sport and the role it plays in developing societies and spreading the spirit of healthy competition. It is an incentive for creativity through sport in the UAE, Arab countries and the world by honouring and motivating athletes. Mattar al Tayer, chairman of the award's board of trustees, said "the award translates the vision of Sheikh Mohammed in sponsoring talented in all fields", WAM reported.
* The National