The United Arab Emirates has established itself as one of the most prominent countries in the world for hosting major sporting events that get worldwide attention. This is mostly due to their handling of the continuing COVID19 pandemic, as well as high vaccination rates and a focus on sports tourism. Accordingly, a number of sports association presidents expressed their gratitude to the country for its unwavering efforts to provide all necessary resources to ensure the event’s success.
Take the UFC, for example; Dana White, the President of the UFC, was so fascinated by the Fight Island events that he declared Abu Dhabi the “Fight Capital of the World.”
President of the UFC (Dana White)
Furthermore, F1 president Stefano Domenicali expressed his delight at the prospect of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix becoming a regular event in the coming years.
Here are three reasons why the UAE has risen to the top of the world in terms of hosting sporting events:
High rates of vaccination
According to the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, over 17 million doses have been administered and over 72% of the country has been completely vaccinated. These figures demonstrate that the country is ahead of the curve in terms of COVID-19 and vaccination rates.
COVID Precautions
The UAE has taken a unique approach to sporting events in the face of COVID-19, requiring athletes and tourists to present vaccination certificates as well as PCR tests upon entry to assure everyone’s safety. There is also a rigid code of conduct that everyone must adhere to, ranging from the wearing of masks to social distancing. However, what sets the UAE apart in this regard is their steadfastness in upholding these standards on a regular basis, putting everyone’s safety first.
Sports Tourism
Sports tourism is a type of travel that concentrates on watching or participating in a sporting event while remaining away from the typical tourist activities. It is a concept that is greatly valued and stressed in the UAE, as huge sporting events attract visitors from all over the world. In light of this, the UAE has become a tourist and sports tourism center, making it one of the top travel destinations in the world!
The UAE will host a number of big sporting events in the coming year of 2022. Some of which will see the continuation of a legacy, while others will host the world’s top athletes.
- Dubai Desert Classic (January 27-30)
- Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (February 14-26)
- Dubai World Cup (TBA)
- DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (November 17-20)
- Dubai Rugby Sevens (December 1-3)
- Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (January 20-23)
- NBA games in Abu Dhabi (TBA)
Dubai Rugby Sevens
The UAE continues to astound us with its dedication to sports and steadfast efforts to keep everyone safe while ensuring that major events run smoothly. Thus, the UAE is setting an example for the rest of the globe, demonstrating that we in the Middle East are more than capable of hosting such important sporting events in a professional manner.
