'We've prepared the best facilities'

Through the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, he caught the attention of the world and successfully staged a record number of One-day international matches.

And by providing world class facilities in partnership with Abdul Rahman Falaknaz and Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni at Dubai Sports City, Bukhatir is hoping to continue to attract the attention of the international sports fraternity and help the UAE stage some of the world's most prestigious events.

In an exclusive interview to Gulf News, Bukhatir said, "We have prepared some of the world's best facilities and now it is up to the international bodies that govern different sports to make use of it."

GULF NEWS: Seven months have passed since the inauguration of the Dubai Sports City cricket stadium; what has been the feedback from around the world?

ABDUL RAHMAN BUKHATIR: We are keeping pace with the modern world; I am aware that sports needs infrastructure that can keep up with the standards of the recent developments around the world. So this sort of infrastructure is special. We are creating everything, including a golf facility, covered stadium and world class coaching academies. As promised, everything will be one of its kind. Dubai Sports City is not for cricket alone but for all sports. Cricket is just one of the many activities that will happen here in this city.

How have you managed the pressure of recession and still continued with your plans?

Like every other business, we have also been affected and that has led us to a slow-down. However, we have managed with no significant changes to our policies apart from the fact that we might be late by six months or one year. But we are on track now, though for a while we were not.

So when can we expect all the facilities in Dubai Sports City to be ready and running?

We expect everything to be ready by 2011. Work is in full flow.

Do you expect the sporting scenario in the UAE to undergo a huge change once all the facilities are ready?

It all depends on the utilisation of these facilities. People need to appreciate that we have created the best of facilities. The academies in the complex will be of the highest standard and it all depends on what benefit people wish to derive by using these facilities.

Are you hoping to stage some of the world's best international sporting events in Dubai Sports City?

International events are controlled by various sports bodies. We are coming up with the infrastructure and are ready to give it to anyone who would want to utilise it to stage their events. The facilities created here are not easy to be duplicated. World sporting bodies should find it comfortable to stage their events here. The football stadium, just like the cricket stadium, will be one of its kind in the world. The retractable roof stadium can stage tennis and many other events.

What about indoor sports events?

The indoor stadium should be a huge boost for events like boxing, wrestling, gymnastics and martial arts. It will also help stage sports like handball and volleyball.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Hockey Federation are setting up their academies here. Are there plans for more academies?

We have given every international sporting body an opportunity to come and set up their offices here. It all depends on how many of them would look at utilising our infrastructure. The ICC [International Cricket Council] global academy will be ready by the end of this year. The ground attached to the academy will also be ready and there will be a lot of activities. Many experts are already working on how to help people here take advantage of this system. Very soon we expect many foreign teams to train here.

How was it to help Pakistan host their two home series here at the cricket stadium and how happy are you with the response?

We are very happy to contribute to relieve Pakistan's problems in the area of cricket. We sincerely hope they are able to resume matches in their country soon. The response from cricket fans here to watch these matches was excellent.