Top sponsors join the fray for Legends Rock Dubai

Dubai: The Legends Rock Dubai has lined up an impressive portfolio of sponsors for the second edition to be held from October 31-November 2.

The Legends Rock Dubai was first held last year with former tennis stars such as Bjorn Borg, Mansour Bahrami, Ilie Nastase, Guy Forget and Vijay Amritraj lining up at the imposing Madinat Jumeirah indoor court.

This year, the American legend John McEnroe has agreed to play against Borg one last time in the singles with the aim of recapturing the essence of the memorable 1980 Wimbledon final.

Others joining the star cast include Ilie Nastase, Peter McNamara, Emilio Sanchez, Guy Forget, Henri Leconte and Mansour Bahrami.

"A star appearance like this one demands a top field of sponsors as supporters," stated Farbod Dowlatshahi, president of organisers Delwood. "We have a field of top companies to match the players who will be playing at The Legends Rock Dubai this year," he added.

The three-day event will have HSBC as the title sponsor, while Jumeirah International and Rolex Watches will be the gold sponsors.

Other companies lining up as sponsors of the event include Christie's, Cadillac, Cacharel, Damas, Dubai Sports Channel, What's On, ARN and Gulf News and Sport Extra. "It is very important for us to have such top companies to support this event," Dowlatshahi stated.

"Having such top corporates supporting us gives the event a weightage which will pass on through the community," he added.

On the opening day of The Legends Rock Dubai, there will be an auction of sports memorabilia, the proceeds of which will go to two charities.

Last year's auction managed to raise Dh400,000, which was also divided between two charities.

This year, the proceeds will go to the King Hussain Cancer Foundation and the Dubai Centre for Special Needs. "Given the items we have lined up for the auction, we are expecting to cross last year's figure this time," he said.

Tickets for the three-day event are already on sale at various outlets.