Sporting life sees benefits for all

Amid all the developments that the UAE has embraced in recent years, the one area that will certainly please the youthful and sporty residents of the country is the increase in the number of sporting venues and facilities.

The past year in particular can go down as a landmark for UAE sport, particularly in the development of infrastructure.

The year got off to a perfect start when the sporting world was rocked with the news of Formula One motor racing set to make a debut in Abu Dhabi.

The emirate secured the rights to host a Grand Prix from 2009 onwards for a renewable 7-year term and the announcement came with the burning of rubber by some of the top drivers along the Corniche.

The Yas Island, a natural 2,550 hectare island located east of Abu Dhabi island, is the venue and work is in full progress to meet the deadline of December 2008.

Dubai, which is already in the thick of things as far as international sporting events and sporting venues are concerned, caught the imagination of the equestrian world during the Dubai World Cup week in March.

The Dubai Equestrian Club unveiled Meydan, a horse racing city, which is currently taking shape in the area of the present Nad Al Sheba course. Spread over 76 million square feet, Meydan will comprise many things including state-of-the-art dirt and turf tracks, a world-class grandstand with a 55,000 to 60,000 capacity, the Godolphin Gallery and a museum.

Towards the end of the year, Pele, the world's greatest footballer, announced his partnership with an international sports academy in Abu Dhabi to help nurture talent at the grass roots level and help them to graduate either to play professional football or continue higher studies.

The sports academy is the first of its kind in the region and will provide state-of-the-art curricula and training, aimed at unleashing the sporting talent of UAE youth under the patronage of the football great.

These are just some of the many sporting venues that are currently taking shape and in the near future the next step of producing champions will be the focus.