Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, connected with leading sports figures and athletes at the Dubai Sports Retreat, organized by the Dubai Sports Council and held at the Museum of the Future, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.
The Dubai Sports Retreat, a milestone gathering, featured 100 prominent figures from the sports world, including renowned UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and India’s former world No. 1 doubles player Sania Mirza. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the importance of such gatherings in advancing Dubai’s sports sector, reiterating his vision to make sports an essential part of life and a source of joy for all residents and visitors.
Regarding the Dubai Sports Retreat program, Sheikh Hamdan shared an update on his X handle, stating, “I met with Dubai’s sports ambassadors, a distinguished group of Arab and international stars who call Dubai home. Their commitment to advancing sports and nurturing talent is truly inspiring.”
“We thank all participants in the Dubai Sports Retreat, organized by @DubaiSC. The ideas and insights discussed at the event will help shape a brighter future for sports, enhance our clubs’ achievements, and nurture local talent.“
Our goal is to make sports a way of life, a source of happiness, and a key driver of Dubai’s growth, he added.
The Dubai Sports Retreat underscored the emirate’s commitment to making sports a key component of its cultural and economic expansion, with Sheikh Hamdan at the forefront of this vision. The retreat served as a platform for Dubai further to cement its position as a premier sports destination, resonating with Sheikh Hamdan’s goal of creating a healthier, more dynamic society where sports play a central role.
The retreat began with an opening speech by Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. Attendees included Dubai’s sports ambassadors, former French and Manchester United football captain Patrice Evra, Lebanese basketball icon Fadi Al Khatib, renowned cricketer Harbhajan Singh, former Arsenal and Manchester City footballer Bacary Sagna, and Iraqi football star Nashat Akram.
The event was also attended by Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Director General of the Office of His Highness the Crown Prince of Dubai; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Abdullah Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai; along with senior officials from federal ministries, local government departments, and professionals from the sports sector. Over 100 prominent local and international sports stars from around the world were present at the event.
The discussions and collaborative spirit at the Dubai Sports Retreat set the stage for future sports initiatives, aligning with Dubai’s overarching objective of growth, wellness, and community cohesion through sports.
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