United Arab Emirates

The European Tour has ended speculation over the future of its season-ending Race to Dubai by reaching a new multi-faceted, three-year deal with the event’s organisers.

Manly Sea Eagles, the newly-crowned Australian National Rugby League (NRL) champion, has suggested Dubai as a venue for rugby league’s World Club Challenge in 2012.

Manchester United has agreed a two-year partnership with Du, claiming the deal will further the club’s connection with its 56 million fans in the Middle East.

Dubai has announced it will forgo a bid for the 2020 Olympics in favour of concentrating its efforts on the 2024 Games, while South Africa has again emerged as a serious contender for the former event.

Iran has tabled an unlikely bid to host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2013 and 2014, world football’s governing body has announced.

Royal Emirates Group, a Dubai-based investment group chaired by HRH Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail Al Maktoum, has reportedly acquired a football team from La Liga in a deal worth about US$90 million.

English rugby union clubs Wasps and Harlequins have confirmed they will break new ground by staging their forthcoming LV= Cup fixture in Abu Dhabi.

The second Arabian Sponsorship Forum will take place at The Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi on December 8 and 9, the Professional Sports Group has confirmed.

Abu Dhabi is set to enter a team and build a new boat for the 2011-12 edition of the Volvo around the world race in a $25-million partnership with Britain’s double Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker as skipper and his business partner Jamie Boag.

Video interviews with former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, and sports stars Ian Thorpe and Rahul Dravid are among the content on SportAccord's YouTube channel, following last month's event in Dubai.

Netherlands based media group Endemol will produce content for four new HD channels covering the English Premier League in the Middle East.

Swiss watchmaker Blancpain has signed as the official timing partner of the newest FIA-sanctioned motor-racing series, the GT1 World Championship.

German sportswear company Puma will enter a team in the next Volvo Ocean Race, in 2011-12, after finishing second in the 2008-09 competition.

Executives from adidas, Audi, Emirates and Swiss Timing will speak at a session on sponsorship strategy at the next SportAccord Convention.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is among a list of high-profile speakers at a session on sport’s autonomy and relationship with government at this year’s SportAccord Convention.

Organisers of the Dubai Marathon have announced a $1 million bonus is on offer to a runner who sets a new world record.