Significant investment in Dubai's sports facilities is further increasing its appeal as an internationally recognised location for top sporting events and for leisure.
New projects include a major cricket stadium, a motor racing circuit as well as two championship golf courses incorporating an equestrian centre, all due to be opened over the next three years. BŠrbel Kirchner, director of the UK and Ireland office of the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said that with investment into many sports facilities, Dubai is gearing up to be a major host of even more international sporting events. Dubai, Kirchner added, was already the location for a number of such events including the widely broadcast Dubai World Cup horse race, the Dubai Desert Classic on the European Professional Golf Association's tour, as well as the popular Rugby Sevens. Dubai will also become a serious contender for major cricket tournaments with the new cricket stadium due for completion in 2004. Dubai Autodrome is scheduled for completion by mid-2003 and will feature a five kilometre circuit designed to Formula 1 specifications.