The UAE has already established itself as a destination for various sporting events and activities, with world-class facilities and infrastructure, and this has helped to attract visitors from across the globe. On March 2, 2023, the eighth edition of the National Sports Day was held in various emirates of the UAE under the slogan “The Emirates Unite Us.” Over 70,000 people took part in 500 activities throughout the day. Nasser Khamis Al Marri, the Director of the Local Events Department at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, expressed his pride in the council’s involvement in the National Sports Day. The event aims to promote the principle of “sports for all” through various activities, including community sports, fitness sports, and challenges. The goal is to increase awareness of sports, promote a culture of interest in physical health, and encourage regular engagement in sports activities as a part of one’s daily routine.
On the other hand, the significant celebration of the National Sports Day represents an opportunity to showcase the country’s progress and achievements in the sports industry, including the development of state-of-the-art facilities, the establishment of world-class sports events, and the nurturing of local talents. It is also a testament to the UAE’s vision of becoming a leading sports destination in the world. Through strategic investments in the sports industry and the creation of an enabling environment for sporting businesses, the country aims to attract more sports tourists and generate economic growth.
Numerous sports organizations in the UAE have been implementing creative methods to align with this vision. For instance, with the assistance of EA Sports, the UAE Pro League (UAEPL) has recently announced the launch of the third season of the UAEPL eSports Championship, with formal qualifications beginning in April. Individuals who are at least 16 years old, including UAE citizens and residents, are eligible to register and take part in the PlayStation 5 tournament, with the chance to represent the UAE in the EA Sports FIFA 23 Global Series Middle East Play-Ins. Valuable rewards have been assigned by the UAE Pro League, dependent on ranking, with the highest three finishers to receive AED 15K, AED 10K, and AED 5K respectively.
The eUAEPL tournament will be conducted with 14 distinct online qualification stations for each professional club to participate in the finals, which will be hosted in a location to be announced at a later time. The preliminary stage will take place from 4th to 19th April, and an indefinite number of players may participate. The second stage, on 2nd May, will include the draw, while the third stage will be played on two days, 13th and 14th May, with 14 players distributed among two groups competing on the first day, and eight players who qualified from the group stage competing on the second day. The fourth and final stage will also be held on 14th May, featuring winners who qualified for the grand finale.
Furthermore, the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club has recently announced a new initiative aimed at drawing sports tourists, particularly cyclists and their families, from all over the world. The objective of this initiative is to enhance the position of Abu Dhabi as a worldwide cycling tourism destination, especially after receiving the “Bike City” designation from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
To encourage sports tourism, the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Wilver, a leading European firm specializing in sports tourism, particularly in the field of cycling. The agreement will offer tour packages and programs to attract athletes and champions from around the world to the UAE in accordance with Abu Dhabi’s goal of providing advanced sports tracks and facilities, as well as tourist, entertainment, and hospitality venues. This effort will also help to support the club’s efforts to promote sports tourism.
By focusing on sports tourism, the UAE can further build on its reputation as a sports hub and offer a unique experience to sports enthusiasts. The country has also made significant investments in its sports sector, with initiatives like the National Sports Day and the establishment of the UAE Pro League eSports Championship, highlighting its commitment to developing the industry.
Moreover, sports tourism can have a positive impact on the country’s economy by creating job opportunities and increasing revenue. Investing in sports infrastructure and facilities can have long-term benefits by developing a talent pool of athletes and coaches and increasing participation in sports activities among the local population, with the aim of creating a business-friendly environment for global sports organizations and business to invest in the country.
