Abu Dhabi: The 2010 annual Laureus World Sports Awards, the premier global sports awards honouring the greatest sportsmen and women in the world, is to be held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, March 10.
The Laureus World Sports Awards is recognised as the premier honours event in the international sporting calendar and the awards ceremony provides a high profile focus as stars of the sporting world come together to salute the finest sportsmen and sportswomen of the year.
The winners are selected by the ultimate sports jury - the 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the living legends of sport honouring the greatest athletes of today.
Laureus Chairman and double Olympic gold medallist Edwin Moses said: "I am thrilled and delighted that the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards is to be staged in Abu Dhabi. This is an important step for Laureus to move our awards ceremony to a new part of the world, and a wonderful way to start the second decade of our existence.
"The Gulf region has grown dramatically in sporting significance in the last decade and with its long and distinguished history, combined with its most modern facilities and its undoubted appeal as one of the world's most fascinating and attractive cities, I am sure the Awards in Abu Dhabi will be an unforgettable experience."
The 2010 awards ceremony, which will be broadcast to a worldwide TV audience, will be staged at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.
Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which supports over 70 community sports projects around the world and has helped to improve the lives of more than one million young people.
Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "We are proud of having co-founded this unique platform for top athletes from all over the world. Our company is closely connected with Abu Dhabi and we are very delighted that the Laureus World Sports Awards 2010 will take place in this fascinating city."
Khadem Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Aabar Investments, host partner of the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards, said: "We are delighted that Abu Dhabi has been chosen to host the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards. Sport is close to the hearts of all our people. Abu Dhabi is a city that harmoniously combines historic traditions and modern values. I am confident that active construction of sport facilities and creation of well-developed infrastructure makes Abu Dhabi an ideal venue for sports events of global significance. I am confident that our partnership with the Laureus World Sports Awards will be enormously successful.
"Aabar Investments PJSC, as the host partner of the event, is honoured to bring this prestigious occasion to Abu Dhabi and to play a pivotal role in an event that touches the lives of so many globally. As a universal language, sports have no boundaries and create a positive impact on future generations. Aabar hopes to enhance awareness of the importance of sport to society and to develop its relationship with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation."
