DUBAI – The Dubai Sports Council’s Board of Directors has hailed the merger of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tours – two of the cycling world’s most prized events – and said the merged “UAE Tour” became possible thanks to the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

The merger of the Dubai Tour and Abu Dhabi Tour was reviewed, along with a number of other important matters, during the 30th meeting of DSC’s Board, which was held on Monday, April 9, at the Council’s premises in Dubai Design District. H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, the Deputy Chairman of DSC, chaired the meeting in the presence of H.E. Saeed Hareb, the Secretary General of DSC, and other Board’s Members, Mr Mohammed Al Kamali, Mr Ahmed Al Shafar, Mr Yousuf Al Redha, Mr Khalid Ali Bin Zayed, Mr Salah Amin, Ms Moaza Al Marri, Ms Laila Suhail, Mr Anas Bu Khash, H.E. Nasser Aman Al Rahma Assistant Secretary General of DSC, Mr Saleh Al Marzouqi, Acting Director of the Corporate Support Department.

The meeting dealt with the result of the formation of the Executive Committee from DSC & Abu Dhabi Sports Council to organize the “UAE Tour”.

H.E. Mattar Al-Tayer expressed full trust that the “UAE Tour” will be a distinctive mark in cycling races of the entire region and will one of the top cycling races all over the world.

The “UAE Tour” will be one of the top world cycling races, to be telecasted to massive cycling fans throughout the various continents, conveying the civilized, prosperous, architectural, tourist and well–based infrastructure of the UAE.

The meeting dealt with reports on the current development works in Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai and Al-Nasr Stadiums, where matches of the AFC Asian Cup – 2019 are scheduled to be hosted. The development works are carried out in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, as per top technical & engineering specifications, which are ratified by DSC, the Organizing Committee of the Championship and Asian Football Confederation. The meeting has confirmed that respective works will be completed as per the fixed schedule by the end of this year.

DSC’s Board reviewed the sponsorship report, regarding DSC’s events, the value of which has exceeded Dhs 39 million; including monetary sponsorship & services. Number of sponsors has jumped into more than 30 sponsors; comprising huge & mid companies, working in both governmental & private sectors.

H.E. Mattar Al-Tayer emphasized that DSC is forerunner to collaborate with public & private sectors to support the organizing of sports events and to reduce official governmental expenses in this particular field.

H.E. Al-Tayer encouraged DSC to attract further companies & corporations to sponsor sports events in escalating level and to exploit the rapid development in the country to boost the organizing of sports events.

The meeting surveyed reports of DSC’s permanent committees. In this regard, the Head of Investments & Projects Committee talked on the latest developments in investment projects for the Council.

The Head of Development & Future Committee explained the various programs & initiatives which are implemented by the Committee; top of these is the road map, fixed to attain progress in all fields of work; comprising development of DSC’s organizational structure in such way that copes with the UAE plan and Dubai Strategy 2021 / reprograming of challenge sports, which contain more than 10 challenge events, arranged throughout the year; some of which are dedicated for males while some others are specified for females and organized at both indoor & outdoor locations / enhancing of marine sports to boost the UAE’s status in this particular sport / development of academy, women & people of determination sports through arranging several respective events & competitions / popularizing the culture of the exercise of sport as daily activity and making the same as lifestyle / boosting positive values among athletes of all ages.

DSC’s Board reviewed preparations for the 13th Dubai International Sports Conference; comprising the theme, programs of sessions and list of guests who are nominated to participate in workshops & main session of the event. It is worth mentioning that the 13th edition of the Conference is scheduled on 27th & 28th Dec. 2018 at Madinat Jumeirah Resort under title “Football & Economy”.