Although one of the richest states per capita on earth, Rashid Kamali, the marketing manager of the UAE Football Association, believes the message has still to get across to a number of sports industry professionals ahead of the Soccerex Conference in Dubai on October 22-23.
“Many stadium structures need to be renovated, especially as we are hosts for the Youth World Cup in 2003,” said Kamali. “We want to prepare not just for local events but for international events.”
Most UAE clubs had their current facilities built in the late 70s and early 80s, and while maintenance work on the UAE’s six or seven stadiums continues, the UAE’s intention is to “reshape the whole structure”.
“The stadiums don’t need urgent work. We have 100 percent proper stadiums at all our clubs, and technically we meet FIFA legislation with no problems. But we need to take a wider view. For the big international events, we need to rebuild and renovate.”
UAE stadiums, says Kamli, especially require “proper seating” in the largely concrete bowls, catering for different categories of spectators, including VIP seating.
The “wider view” could also include the addition of running tracks and other facilities to the existing soccer stadiums, to create truly international sporting arenas.
Kamali adds that the UAE is urgently in need of sports law professionals to handle the transfer of players to the UAE’s league and for drawing up marketing contracts.
The dearth of sports facilities and law professionals in the UAE also surprises Duncan Revie, chief executive officer of Soccerex: “When the UAE decides to do something they do it properly,” said Revie. “All the stadium owners and the clubs are looking for assistance and the message is not getting out.”
Revie said that Soccerex has attracted 1,000 delegates and 80-100 exhibition stalls for the event, which will be attended by the majority of Football Associations in the region, as well as representatives from the English FA, and speakers such as Gerry Boon from the Deloitte & Touche Sports industry team.
An official of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Football Association has told sportbusiness.com that assistance is required from international stadium companies in the renovation of the Middle-Eastern state’s soccer infrastructure
