Wednesday 12 December 2007

Global Interest in Dubai Sports City Reaches New Heights

Delegation from Maharashtra, India, Tours Major Development as Countdown Begins for 2008 Opening of Key Assets

Global interest in the US$3.6 billion Dubai Sports City project is reaching new heights, according to a delegation of senior property developers from the State of Maharashtra, India, who viewed the project on a special visit organised by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. ‘Marathi Bandhkam Vyavasaik Sanghatana’, is an Association of Real Estate Developers and is currently organizing a study tour for its members consisting of 50 real estate developers / investors in order to gauge Dubai’s real estate offerings and investment opportunities to promote Dubai as a hub for realty investment opportunities:

The UAE’s positioning at the heart of a potential market of two billion people – as well as Dubai Sports City’s focus on globally-popular activities such as cricket, soccer and golf – provides the development with the potential to become a major sporting hub.

Over 60 delegates from Maharashtra toured the site this week and were offered exclusive access to some of the major assets of the project, including the landmark cricket stadium and the magnificent 18-hole championship golf course.

“Dubai Sports City has already achieved a very high profile in India, where there is real excitement about the scale of the project. Obviously, there are a number of elements that appeal particularly to the Indian market – such as the range of cricket facilities – but it is Dubai Sports City’s comprehensiveness and range that have really captured people’s imagination,” said Sandeep Joshi, one of the senior property developers from the State of Maharashta, India.

One of the highlights for many of the visitors was a discussion on the rapidly-developing plans for the ICC Global Cricket Academy, the purpose-built facility which will allow players, coaches, umpires, curators and administrators from around the world to develop their skills.

Also of significant interest were the residential and retail facilities under construction. Two of the flagship residential communities – the exclusive golf course villa community, Victory Heights and a waterfront Riviera-style apartment offering Canal Residence West – have attracted buyers from around the world.

“Dubai Sports City is entering into the next phase of development and promotion, particularly in relation to the international market,” said Khalid Al Zarooni, President of Dubai Sports City. “We continue to welcome delegations from around the world to inspect the site, and the increasing volume of these trade visitors is a reflection of the international excitement that the project is generating.”