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Abu Dhabi hosts the first-ever National Basketball Association (NBA) game in the Gulf, which will cement the UAE capital’s position as a global sports destination and see thousands of tourists explore, a senior official said this beautiful destination.
In just over 50 days, the 2022 NBA Abu Dhabi Games will feature two preseason games between the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks at the Etihad Stadium on Yas Island. This historic sporting event will take place as part of a groundbreaking multi-year partnership between Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) and the NBA.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director of DCT Tourism Abu Dhabi, said that in October, it will be a week-long celebration of sports, entertainment and culture not to be missed, with several events planned across the city.
“At DCT Abu Dhabi, we have an ambitious sports tourism strategy for the emirate as we work to create an unparalleled year-round calendar of exciting sporting events. We pride ourselves on delivering unique and innovative experiences, so bringing the NBA Bringing to the Emirates was a natural and exciting choice for us. Basketball is an exhilarating high-intensity sport that provides spectators with an intense game full of non-stop entertainment. It is a truly international game , has millions of loyal fans all over the world,” Al Geziry told Cali era.
Al Geziry said the high-profile event was a “great opportunity” to raise Abu Dhabi’s global profile.
“With the eyes of the world firmly on the emirate in October, we can prove that this is a destination full of exciting, inspiring and rejuvenating experiences that has something for every visitor.”
Al Geziry stressed that visitors to the capital will enjoy a unique experience and enhance tourism.
“Bringing thousands of fans to Abu Dhabi for a first-of-its-kind event in the region will impact the wider tourism ecosystem, benefiting airlines, hotels, attractions, restaurants and shopping malls and creating a positive The collective atmosphere. Visitors can explore the emirate at their own pace: whether it’s exploring our exciting theme parks, stunning beaches, or unique cultural attractions and museums.”
While the game will take place at the iconic Etihad Stadium from October 6 to 8, Al Geziry stressed that the DCT-NBA partnership will not only be a host team, but will bring a number of events to the GCC for the first time, Includes health-promoting NBA FIT clinics and wellness and interactive fan events featuring current and legendary players.
“In October, we will create an immersive city-wide experience for fans, interactive events at the mall, opportunities to meet basketball legends, and fitness workshops to motivate us to get fit. These events will Increasing the popularity of basketball, and we look forward to continuing to see this development in the years to come.”
The official said that NBA Abu Dhabi 2022 reinforces Abu Dhabi and the NBA’s shared goal of developing basketball in the region.
“Hosting world-class sporting events allows us to bring good international players here to inspire locals. This helps to increase interest in the sport while inspiring young players to hone their talents and follow their dreams. We have already achieved this in many other sports in the region, including golf, football, cricket, racing and swimming, and we fully expect basketball to join this list in the coming months and years.”
Earlier, NBA vice president Mark Tatum revealed that there are 3 million NBA fans in the UAE. A similar sentiment was echoed by Al Geziry, who said Abu Dhabi had “high expectations and enthusiasm” since the Olympics were announced.
“The speed of ticket sales is a testament to the excitement of NBA fans across the country and the region, so this is just the beginning of the game’s popularity in the near future,” Al Geziry noted.
DCT officials noted that basketball has a large following among many communities in the UAE, so DCT aims to promote this, especially at the grassroots level.
“Basketball is a global sport as there are more than 200 nationalities in the UAE, so it’s a very popular sport here. This is reflected in any court around the city, where you often see players from multiple countries A team of players.”
The region has been making continuous efforts to increase participation in basketball over the years, and good progress has also been made.
“Recently, more than 220 players from the Middle East have joined Basketball Without Borders, an NBA program designed to develop talent from outside the United States. Often referred to as the NBA Academy, this year’s enrollment will include five players from the United Arab Emirates. Since 2019, the NBA Basketball School in Dubai has welcomed more than 500 male and female athletes between the ages of 6 and 18, so it is laying the groundwork for future special events.”
Al Geziry said the response since the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League was launched in February 2022 has been excellent.
“The enthusiasm shown by the 450 boys and girls who attended, as well as their families and friends, was truly inspiring. The warm atmosphere created by the players, coaches and spectators allowed us to see what the Junior League could do for years to come. Development potential. We are committed to the future of the global youth basketball program, especially as it teaches the fundamental skills and core values of the game – teamwork, respect, determination and community.”
Al Geziry said the NBA Abu Dhabi Games will build on these foundations and help drive further interest in basketball.
“The 2022 NBA Abu Dhabi Games will undoubtedly be a special and exciting time for basketball fans in the UAE and beyond. We look forward to seeing the region continue to grow in the years to come,” he added.
Also in the partnership, DCT – Abu Dhabi will become the NBA’s Official Destination Partner in China, EMEA, under the UAE capital’s tourism outreach program “Visit Abu Dhabi”.
Copyright © 2022 Khaleej Times. all rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndicate information).
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