The Finance World Magazine| Edition: April 2023

Sports infrastructure
investments can create a
talent pool, boost participation,
and attract global sports
organizations to invest.
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 businessfriendly
environment for global sports
organizations and business to invest in
the country.
April 2023 www.thefinanceworld.com 91