Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a landmark meeting, the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) convened with sports event organisers, facility owners, and key industry figures to discuss the future trajectory of Dubai's sports sector. This gathering, hosted at the JA Lake View Hotel alongside JA Sports & Shooting Club at JA The Resort in Jebel Ali, focused on collaborative growth.

Prioritising the enhancement of sports events and private sector partnerships, the session aimed to bolster Dubai’s long-term strategies in sports development. Attendees were also offered an exclusive preview of the new “JA Sports & Shooting Club”, set to officially open this summer.

During the session, the DSC unveiled the “Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033”, a roadmap initiated by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This ambitious strategy aims to position Dubai as the globe’s premier sporting city by 2033 via substantial investments in sports infrastructure, hosting international events, and fostering community engagement.

The plan is anchored on four foundational pillars, comprising 19 significant programmes and 75 initiatives that focus on sports events, clubs, talent nurturing, and community involvement. The strategy is expected to enhance Dubai's stature as a top-tier destination for sports tourism and global competitions.

Essa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at DSC, noted that this meeting enabled organisers to address challenges while brainstorming new methods for fortifying the sports environment. He emphasized that events in Dubai now transcend mere competition, significantly enhancing quality of life, bolstering the economy, and promoting the city on a global stage.

Sharif remarked on the swift expansion of Dubai's sports sector, which now hosts over 511 events annually, including 114 international competitions. The emirate attracts around 2.7 million participants in various sports activities and welcomes more than 115 international training camps each year.

The council is dedicated to youth development and unearthing new talents in sports including football, golf, padel, and badminton. According to Sharif, Dubai will persist in hosting top-tier sporting events while ensuring robust support for athletes and event organisers.

Ahmed Al Fahim, Director of the Strategic Development Office at DSC, stated that the 2033 strategy harbours bold economic and social targets. The plan intends to elevate the sports sector's contribution to Dubai's GDP from AED 10.17 billion to AED 18.3 billion, alongside increasing the resident participation in sports from 1.6 million to 2.6 million, and boosting attendance at major sporting events from 1.67 million to 4.1 million.

Meanwhile, Ralph Porciani, CEO of JA Resorts & Hotels, described the new JA Sports & Shooting Club as pivotal in reinforcing Dubai's ambition as a global sports, wellness, and lifestyle hub.

Porciani highlighted that the facility is meticulously designed in line with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, intertwining sports, hospitality, and community experiences within a single integrated destination. He noted that this project embodies the UAE’s aspirations for delivering unrivaled sports experiences while attracting athletes, visitors, and major sporting events.

The forthcoming JA Sports & Shooting Club boasts the UAE’s leading indoor shooting complex, six FIFA-certified football pitches, two cricket ovals, racquet sports amenities, a 9-hole golf course, and expansive equestrian facilities. Officials anticipate that this multifaceted venue will further strengthen Dubai’s position as a host for international tournaments and training camps.

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