Platini to attend seventh edition of sports meet

Dubai: Uefa President and former French footballer Michel Platini will be one of the stars in attendance at the 7th Dubai International Sports Conference organised by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) at the end of December.

Platini's attendance was confirmed at a press conference held at Al Nasr Club yesterday, with Globe Soccer confirming a three-year extension of their collaboration with the DSC in organising the annual conference.

The conference was hosted by Dr Ayesha Al Busmait, vice chairperson of the organising committee and conference director, while former England coach Fabio Capello, Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro — currently working with Dubai's Al Ahli Club — former captain of Ghana Abedi Pele, ex-chairman and owner of Torino FC and AS Lazio Gianmarco Calleri, and Tommaso Bendoni of Bendoni Communication, were also present.

"It has always been our motive to bring in the best so that the sportspersons from the UAE benefit due to the presence of such high-profile legends during the course of the conference," Dr Ahmad Sa'ad Al Sharif, secretary general of the DSC, said.

Previous editions

"We have hosted the best of the best from the world of football during the last six editions of the conference."

Legendary manager Capello said: "After coming here for two years, we can clearly see how the entire footballing world is involved in this event. Dubai is the ideal venue for an event of this nature.

"This event strikes the right balance in getting everyone involved and it is growing into one of the best events dedicated to the promotion of the game."