Dubai: Organisers of the inaugural Dubai Corporate Sports Tournament 2014 have extended the registration deadline to January 28, owing to a high demand from the business sector.

The initial deadline had been set for January 15, but with several companies yet to confirm their entry formally, the organisers decided to extend the deadline.

The month-long corporate sports festival is being organised under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council (DSC), in an attempt to stimulate teamwork at the place of work.

The 2014 edition of the championships will be held in six different disciplines: athletics, seven-a-side football, eight-a-side cricket, three-on-three basketball, touch-rugby and ten-pin bowling.

While there will be a play-off event scheduled for March 21, the entire DCST 2014 will employ a ‘tournament system, which will run from February 21 for a month.

All sports, except for bowling, will be held at the venues located in Dubai Sports City, which includes the ICC’s indoor cricket facility. The bowling competition will be held at the Dubai International Bowling Centre in Al Mamzar.

The competitions will be open to anyone above the age of 14 provided he or she satisfies the criteria of being linked to the company or organisation they are representing.

The closing ceremony will be on March 21 and will commence with a welcome breakfast; a games village for sponsors and partners; entertainment activities for children; a parade of athletes and followed by the final medals presentation and closing ceremony.

“We are pleased to develop such initiatives that look at encouraging greater participation in sport and healthy lifestyles among the corporate sector,” Dr Ahmad Al Sharif, General Secretary, DSC, said.

“We have been delighted with the huge response from the corporate sector within such a short time and the extension of the deadline is testament to the level of interest we have been receiving,” Fanny Marcout, CEO, Corporate Games UAE, the organisers of the competition, added.

Companies interested in entering their teams may apply online or download the entry forms at www.dcsportstour.com.