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Frank Stamford discovers that the debate on the Middle East hosting Formula One
motor racing has been stoked up in recent months It goes without saying that Dubai has become a city synonymous with hosting some of the world's greatest sporting
events. Golfers rate the Desert Classic as one of the best on the European PGA Tour, a view backed up by the great Tiger Woods this year, and the world's best male and
female tennis players have come to recognise the Dubai Tennis Championships as a leader in its field of play. The Dubai Rugby 7's, sponsored by Emirates Airline, is so highly regarded by the
International Rugby Board that it has been chosen to launch the 2001-2002 World Sevens Series, and the UAE Desert Challenge is the leading round of the FIA World
Cup for Cross Country Rallies. The above are all truly magnificent sporting occasions and I have not even mentioned the Dubai World Cup, the richest horse race in the
world and an event which has helped Dubai realise its dream of becoming recognised world wide as a centre for racing excellence...  the world watches in awe every March as $12 million is dished out in seven races on World Cup day.But there is something missing from the Dubai, and the UAE, sporting
portfolio. One final frontier that really must be conquered if the city is proudly to go where no other city has gone before - well not many anyway! Formula One Motor Racing is the
Holy Grail of all sporting tours. A multi-billion dollar road show that sweeps 17 hand picked cities across the world every year. The revenue generated in each city as up to
50,000 people pour in and the exposure enjoyed from global television coverage is hard to calculate, but the dozen or so cities on the waiting list shows that it is much sought after.
The United Arab Emirates, and Dubai in particular, is desperate for a piece of the Formula One pie, and until developments in
the past month, it was in pole position to be the Middle East's first host city. Formula One guru Bernie Eccleston is believed to have visited the powers that be at some
point over the last two years and it has been said that he was impressed by the enthusiasm and vision of the ruling families. Even HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the Minister of Defence, has publicly voiced his wish to see the country host Formula One.
Speaking at a press conference for his Godolphin Horse Racing stable on the even of the World Cup last year, he said: "We are hopeful that Formula One motor racing will
be added to the calendar here very shortly." Sheikh Mohammed's enthusiasm towards sport in general is admirable. He realises its value in promoting the city to the world
and is well qualified to spot the true worth of hosting an event of this stature. But the UAE appears to have slipped down the pecking order as the race hots up to
become the first city in the Middle East to host Formula One. Beirut and Cairo have been widely mentioned in recent months but the tiny island of Bahrain has jumped the
queue by announcing that it plans to build a facility capable of hosting a Grand Prix soon. The announcement took the region by surprise. Bahrain's aim is to make the
island the hub for regional and international motor racing. Continues >>> |
