DUBAI // Leading officials of the "Dubai 2020" working group met yesterday to discuss the emirate's bid to host the Olympic Games in 11 years time. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, according to WAM, the state news agency. It was the first meeting of the committee, consisting of Mohammed al Shaibani, the head of the Ruler's Court, Dhahi al Tamim, the Chief of Police, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, the chairman of Emirates Airline, since a detailed study of sporting infrastructure in the emirate was compiled.
Malcolm Thorpe, the marketing director of sports business at Sports City, which aims to make Dubai a centre of global sport, said potential venues had been asked to give details of their facilities. "Within the last two months we have supplied information on our venues, including their capacity and facilities," he said. "This was used to develop an overall report of the sporting infrastructure in Dubai for consideration of the working group. We are ready to act on any recommendations the group makes."
Dubai considered making a bid for the 2016 Olympics but did not meet the International Olympic Committee's deadline. However, it is believed that new facilities at Sports City and the Rugby Sevens complex, along with major investment in public transport, could contribute to a stronger bid for 2020. @Email:tbrooks@thenational.ae
