Abu Dhabi: Some of the UAE's top sportspersons and officials are set to attend Wednesday's Laureus World Sports Awards at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Expected to walk the red carpet at the awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2009, will be influential figures from athletics, football, equestrian, snooker, and cycling among other sporting disciplines.
Edwin Moses, chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy and double Olympic gold medallist, added: "To have such strong support from the UAE sporting fraternity is great to see, both locally and throughout the Arab world.
"The region has made impressive strides to establish itself as a leading sporting destination over the last few decades, and, with the continuing grassroots development of its youth, we hope to see increased future participation from Arab sportsmen and women, both as ambassadors for Laureus and hopefully as winners of the awards."
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE Olympic Committee, will line up with football hero Esmail Mattar, who led the UAE to Gulf Cup success in 2007, and Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, the president of the UAE Football Association.
Equestrian champion Shaikh Shakbout Bin Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, will also join UAE Cycling Federation chairman Shaikh Faisal Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, besides Mohammad Bin Thaloub Al Darei, president of the UAE Wrestling, Judo and Jiu Jitsu Federation, and Mohammad Fadil Al Hameli, chairman of the Special Olympics UAE.
Great city
The UAE's Olympian swimmer, Obaid Ahmad Obaid Al Jasmi, will join cycling duo, Badr Mirza, who clinched first place in the Mohammad Bin Rashid International Cycling Cup 2008, and Khalid Ali Thani, the 2009 UAE National Cycling champion.
Khadem Al Qubaisi, chairman, Aabar Investments, said: "Aabar are delighted to bring the Laureus World Sports Awards to Abu Dhabi in 2010 and to see so many sporting legends in our great city.
"The Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi this week continues our emirate's tradition for attracting some of the world's leading sports events including Formula 1 and the Fifa Club World Cup. We thank the Laureus team for their commitment to Abu Dhabi and look forward to a great show at the Emirates Palace."
Fascinating combination
The 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards will see the living legends of sport honouring the greatest contemporary athletes.
The 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards will be supported by host partner Aabar Investments.
Abu Dhabi as the venue offers a fascinating combination of the old and the new; a blend of Arabian hospitality and mystique where a mixture of culture and tradition come together against a backdrop of the most modern infrastructure.
