Emerging Host Cities Focus in Dubai

(ATR) Sports executives gathered in Dubai say that emerging nations are the wave of the future for hosting major sports events.

While not suitable for every event, the league of emerging cities and countries represents an important and growing market that cannot be overlooked, say experts like NBA International president Heidi Ueberroth and Danny Jordaan, head of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ueberroth said with 30 NBA offices worldwide, the newest are in Brazil and Indonesia.

Ueberroth and Jordaan were among the panelists at the Emerging Host Cities conference organized by the Dubai Sports Council. About 100 delegates are attending the two-day conference, aimed at uncovering "effective strategies for winning and hosting major sports events".

Hasan Al Thawadi, secretary general of the organizing committee for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, said that his country won the bid in part because FIFA saw that the event is aligned with long-range plans for the country.

Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov, a leader for the bids from Baku for the 2012and 2016 Olympics, told the conference that despite the losses,/>Azerbaijan remains committed to building the infrastructure needed one day for the Games.

Alexey Sorokin, CEO of the 2018 World Cup in Russia says his country’s bid for the event was also driven by legacy, but would not have succeeded without the passion of Russian sports fans for football.

It was noted that prior tothe1992 Games, Barcelona was known as a backwater of sport, the industrial center of the western Mediterranean, an emerging city in some ways at the time, said Pere Duren, head of Barcelona Turisme.

He cited figures that show the way the Games helped deliver powerful legacy, especially for tourism. Visitor room nights, for example, have soared more than 300 percent on an annual basis since 1992, he says.

"No doubt the Olympic Games made a difference," Duren said.

Wednesday’s closing session of the conference includes a panel on the impact of the Olympic Games on a country. Dora Bakoyannis, former mayor of Athens, current member of Parliament, is one of the speakers.

Written and reported in Dubai by Ed HulaFor general comments or questions, click here20 Years at #1: