Dubai Lifestyle News
Emirates secures Roland Garros sponsorship deal
Emirates Airline has secured a lucrative five-year deal that will see the carrier sponsor the Roland Garros Tennis Tournament in France.The company will endorse the next edition of the competition, which will take place from May 21st to June 9th 2013 and the agreement could have a hugely positive impact on Dubai's tourism figures.Emirates' amazing rise has been a major factor behind the unprecedented growth seen at Dubai International Airport in recent years and high-profile sponsorship arrangements such as this one will only work in the city's favour.The firm has already got a presence in France and its logo can be seen on the front of Paris Saint Germain's football strip.Jean Gachassin, president of the French Federation of Tennis, said he was proud for Roland Garros to be associated with such a high-powered brand as Emirates.As part of the deal, Emirates will have “significant branding” throughout Court Philippe-Chatrier and will also have panels on competition courts.This is the company's third tie-in with a European tennis tournament, as it has already secured deals with the Barcelona Open and Internazionali BNL d'Italia (Italian Open).President of Emirates Airline Tim Clark thinks this latest agreement is a “natural extension” of the carrier's existing tennis sponsorship portfolio.”Watched by millions around the globe, this acclaimed clay court championship is the perfect platform with which to align our brand,” he remarked.”The global following for tennis is extensive. You don't have to play tennis to be a fan of and appreciate the dedication needed to be one of the world's best players.”As well as boasting one of the fastest-growing airlines on earth, Dubai also has a reputation for staging important tennis events.Earlier this year, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships were held in the city and the tournament was a great success.It was eventually won by top seed and world number one Novak Djokovic, who had previously said that the finest players on the planet love performing in the UAE. Continue reading
Lionel Richie expected to visit Dubai
Popular US singer/songwriter Lionel Richie is expected to make a guest appearance at a prestigious polo tournament in Dubai this weekend (April 19th and 20th).The artist – who is famous all around the world for his soulful tunes – is on the VIP list for the Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup, which will be held at the Mina A' Salam Hotel, tabloid! reports.Luxury car maker Aston Martin has invited the 63-year-old to the two-day event and he will see four teams battle it out on a specially laid out sand pitch.The competition is returning to the emirate following a six-year hiatus and judging by the guest list, it is already shaping up to be a momentous occasion.”Lionel Richie has confirmed his presence at the second day of the polo tournament [on Saturday],” Gabriela Katiela from Mamemo Productions was quoted as saying.”As a guest of Aston Martin he has promised to be involved in some sort of activity during his presence at the final.”Richie first shot to fame in the late 1960s, as his band the Commodores took the US by storm.However, his big break came in 1982 when his first solo album shot to the top of the music charts.He has gone on to become one of the most sought after performers on the planet and tunes such as Say You, Say Me, Hello and Dancing on the Ceiling are still played today.Richie is not the only famous face expected to turn up at the polo tournament this week, as UAE sporting ambassador Diego Maradona and chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum have also been invited.Representatives of Julius Baer believe there is always something special about sporting events that are held in this part of the Middle East.”The tournament is characterised by the unique atmosphere of a beach in Dubai where local as well as international polo players compete for the coveted trophy,” the organisation stated. Continue reading
Diego Maradona hails ‘wonderful tranquility’ of Dubai
Most people who move to the UAE find that the lifestyle suits them down to the ground – and this is certainly the case for Diego Maradona.The footballing icon relocated to Dubai a couple of years ago, as he took on a managerial role at Pro League club Al Wasl.He has since left this position, but has stayed in the city after being appointed a sporting ambassador.The Argentinean told Arabian news provider Al Ittihad that starting afresh in the Middle East has really helped him to settle down, as his life had been like a “a Formula One [car] going at full throttle” before he moved.”I learnt about calm and spiritual peace from the Emiratis in particular and the Arab people in general,” he was quoted as saying.”I am now experiencing this wonderful tranquillity. Living here among the Arabs has changed a lot of my ideas and beliefs and this has been a very important experience in my life.”His one-year deal with the Dubai Sports Council is due to end in August, but Maradona has indicated that he could well stay in the Gulf.He hailed Dubai as a “brilliant city” and said he has never regretted his decision to move to such a “unique place”.Population statistics confirm that more and more people are moving to Dubai on a permanent basis and this is certainly no surprise.The city has everything that you could possibly want, especially if you have a bit of money to spare.Some of the villas and luxury apartments in places like Dubai Marina need to be seen to be believed and the warm weather is an obvious bonus for people who have grown sick of the freezing cold temperatures in places like the UK.Clearly, it is not just the great Diego Maradona – one of the finest footballers of all time – who is enjoying life in the wonderful surroundings of Dubai. Continue reading
