Timeline: UAE's emergence as global sporting powerhouse

1984: First ODI Sharjah, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, cricket

1989: Dubai Desert Classic, European Tour, golf

1993: Dubai Tennis Championships, ATP WTA , tennis

1996: Dubai World Cup, horseracing

1997: Chris Eubank vs Camilo Alarcon, super middleweight, boxing

1999: Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens World Series, rugby

2000: Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, athletics

2002: First Test match, Pakistan vs West Indies, cricket

2003: Fifa Under-20 World Cup, football

2006: Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships, European Tour, golf

2006: Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, Ladies European Tour year-ender, golf

2009: DP World Tour Championship, European Tour year-ender, golf

2009: Mubadala World Tennis Championships, Abu Dhabi, tennis

2009: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Formula One, motorsport

2009: Fifa Club World Cup, football

2009: Rugby Sevens World Cup, rugby

2010: Ultimate Fighting Championship, Abu Dhabi, mixed martial arts

2010: Fina World Swimming Championships (25m), swimming

2011: Volvo Ocean Race, Abu Dhabi stopover sailing

2013: Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship, volleyball

2013: Fifa Under-17 World Cup, football

2013: ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, table tennis

2013: Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, darts

2013: Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final, golf

2014: Dubai Tour, cycling

2014: Fiba Under-17 World Championships, basketball

2014: BWF Destination Dubai Superseries Finals, badminton

2014: Indian Premier League, cricket

2014: International Premier Tennis League, tennis