Dubai: The UAE has no intention of taking the America’s Cup away from New Zealand, but it would be ready to stage the regatta if called upon, according to a senior official at Emirates airline.
As winners of this year’s America’s Cup in Bermuda, Emirates Team New Zealand — sponsored by Dubai-based airline Emirates — get to decide the location of the next race in 2021.
Although it’s traditionally been held off the last winner’s own waters, Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) are demanding a multi-million dollar hosting fee from the New Zealand government and negotiations have reportedly hit a stumbling block.
Amid the stalemate, the UAE has been cited as possible alternative venue to Auckland for the race with an $80 million (Dh294 million) offer having been reportedly tabled to buy the hosting. Sochi, in Russia, is another possible option.
It’s not the first time the UAE has been linked to hosting the event, as both Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah had been touted as possible destinations for the 2010 edition of the race, which has been held every three or four years since 1851.
“From our side there has been no official talk yet,” said Boutros Boutros, Emirates Group’s Divisional Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand. “But, of course, the UAE is equipped to host it. With the facilities in the UAE, we can host it any time.
“Probably if they have some stages they want to host in Dubai, we would welcome that. Usually the way it works is in the build-up to the America’s Cup it involves a lot of other stages and destinations.
“So, it is doable, but at the end of the day it’s not Emirates airline’s decision, it’s Dubai’s decision to talk to ETNZ [Emirates Team New Zealand] and sort out some kind of agreement, but I’m sure Dubai would welcome to host part of the cup.
“Historically and legally we think New Zealand should host it and, of course, we would love New Zealand to host it because they are the winners and it’s their homeland. I doubt New Zealand will not host it.
“The UAE is always ambitious to host big global and international events and this is no different. Now, if the New Zealand government themselves don’t want to host it then that’s a different story, and I’m sure we will look at it seriously.
“It’s not to my knowledge that the UAE was ever ambitious to take it away from anybody,” he said of current and previous links to the hosting. “Of course, the UAE would love to host this kind of tournament. The Americas Cup is probably the strongest and longest sport in the world with millions of viewers and definitely Dubai and the UAE background would be a great picture for such a tournament.”
