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Basketball Association and Ministry of Culture and Tourism forge groundbreaking multi-year partnership to host first pre-season game in UAE
The Abu Dhabi Olympics are likely to remain the main event on the National Basketball Association (NBA) calendar, a senior official has revealed.
“We believe it will continue to be a staple of our calendar. But of course, we want to see how the week goes,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told a select group of reporters in Abu Dhabi.
Last November, the NBA entered into a groundbreaking multi-year partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to host its first NBA game in the UAE. The two 2022 NBA Abu Dhabi preseason games between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks drew fans from nearly 60 countries to the UAE capital. Thursday and Saturday games will be broadcast globally and available on the NBA app, reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories.
Silver is excited that basketball continues to grow in the region.
“It’s been a long time, playing our first game here. In fact, the NBA’s history in the region goes back about 100 years, from the American missionaries who first brought basketball to the Middle East, and have continued over the years. develop.
“Our broadcast relationships in the region go back about 35 years. We’ve had about 25 players away from the Middle East so far. We hope to inspire more young boys and girls.”
Silver hopes these two preseason games and other initiatives like the Jr NBA League and Clinic (the first Arabic-language social media channel) will have a positive impact.
“Our experience has taught us that as great as media technology and social media is, there is no substitute for field trips. And I think it’s been a few years now, because of the pandemic, that we have the opportunity to really travel like this, international travel of course. There’s absolutely nothing to replace it – I think for us it’s way beyond the game itself.”
Later this month, an e-commerce site will be launched to serve fans in the region.
Silver emphasized that the Youth NBA Abu Dhabi League and the ongoing Manarat Al Saadiyat NBA Zone provide “direct access to thousands of people” who have become, in a way, “mini ambassadors” of the game.
“As a young person, those experiences in your life will stay with you. That’s why we are very optimistic that these games will not only affect Abu Dhabi, but the entire region.”
Ralph Rivera, managing director of NBA Europe and the Middle East, noted that Abu Dhabi has developed a culture of hosting international sporting events such as Formula 1, Special Olympics, UFC, FIFA Club World Cup and more.
“Being able to host high-profile events with a strong brand, the infrastructure — not just the arena infrastructure, but the infrastructure in terms of hotels, restaurants — it becomes a destination. It’s not just about gaming, It’s about coming here and experiencing the city. And then there’s a shared vision and ambition of the impact these games can have on youth development in the community – not just in Abu Dhabi or the UAE, but in The whole region,” Rivera said.
Additionally, the NBA has been working with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council to bring the youth NBA into local schools.
“I think that’s one of the big things about engagement: encouraging exposure and engagement. The more we’re here, the more we can inspire girls to get involved and experience the benefits of sports, especially team sports. Our goal is to increase awareness and engagement. , it will only spread to other emirates,” Silver added.
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