LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The SportAccord Convention announced that its 2010 edition this month will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The eighth annual Convention in Dubai from April 25-30 at the Atlantis Palm Resort will be the first edition of the event to take place in the Middle East.
HH Sheikh Mohammed’s patronage of the international event reflects his vision towards establishing Dubai’s position as a premier sports destination while ensuring economic diversification of the Emirate. He is also a major sporting figure himself as the founder of Godolphin Racing, the foremost stable in thoroughbred racing, and creator of the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race, which home is the spectacular new Meydan racecourse.
The 2010 SportAccord Convention’s remarkable list of participants will include such speakers as former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, UEFA President Michel Platini, cricket star Rahul Dravid and swimming legend Ian Thorpe.
Every year SportAccord Week features a dynamic exhibition, numerous networking receptions and top-level conference sessions, including the City Forum, as well as the annual general meetings of the Sports Governing Bodies. The Convention attracts over 1,500 leading representatives of international sport.
About the SportAccord Convention
The SportAccord Convention annually brings representatives from the 100 international sports federations and organisations affiliated to SportAccord/GAISF (General Association of International Sports Federations), ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) and AIOWF (Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), as well as the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, together with sponsors, bidding and host cities, architects, sports lawyers, broadcasters, games organising committees, rights holders and other specialists to discuss the key issues facing the sports industry.
Owned by SportAccord/GAISF, ASOIF and AIOWF, the SportAccord Convention encompasses the annual Congress and General Assembly of each association, while offering the sports community a powerful opportunity to come together in an exclusive and authoritative networking environment to build relationships, exchange knowledge and develop ideas.
