Category: Sports

ABU DHABI: Ethara, the organisers of Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024, announced that the #AbuDhabiGP 2023 weekend saw a record-breaking attendance of 170,000 fans enjoying the action at Yas Marina Circuit, with 65% of guests coming from outside the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continues to build a loyal and passionate fanbase, with around half of 2023 race weekend’s guests having attended a previous edition in recent years, according to a press release it issued today.

There has also been a noticeable shift in visitors’ demographics, with a more diversified audience brought on by increased demand from younger fans and female racegoers.

Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a hub for major sporting, entertainment, and cultural events, in line with its strategic vision of economic diversification.

In 2023, the event’s influence was indisputable, with a total weekend expenditure of AED 1.165 billion ($317 million), further cementing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a truly global hub
for tourism and leisure.

Meanwhile, the popularity of Formula 1 continues to soar both regionally and internationally. During the 2023 season, the sport saw over 5.9 million fans attend its 23 race weekends – a 43% increase compared to 2018 – with this year’s record-setting calendar featuring 24 races across 21 countries.

A further enhancement to the fan experience will give racegoers the opportunity to run the iconic Yas Marina Circuit on December 5, ahead of the season finale.

Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO, Ethara, said: ‘The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continues to bring together the excitement of motor racing’s top competitors and some of the world’s biggest music stars, setting the benchmark as the region’s largest sporting and entertainment experience, combined with unique leisure offerings across the race weekend’.

‘Ethara are set once again to deliver a full calendar of award-winning events and are ready once more to bring incredible spectacles to our fans and deliver on our brand promise of making moments
that matter.

‘Yas Island and Abu Dhabi are setting higher standards than ever before, attracting thousands of international visitors to this regional hub looking for a combination of tourism and major sporting and entertainment events.’

As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebrates its 16th edition, the iconic event has become a catalyst for the flourishing tourism and leisure industries in the region, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe to experience the electrifying atmosphere and unparalleled hospitality that Abu Dhabi has to offer.

The organisers of Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 are gearing up to deliver a bigger and more exhilarating race weekend (December 6-8) on Yas Island than ever before, as Formula One is set to deliver its biggest season amid the sport’s exponential global growth.

The region’s largest sport and entertainment weekend continues to grow year-on-year, becoming a cornerstone of the region’s tourism and leisure sectors.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: Ethara, the organisers of Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024, announced that the #AbuDhabiGP 2023 weekend saw a record-breaking attendance of 170,000 fans enjoying the action at Yas Marina Circuit, with 65% of guests coming from outside the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continues to build a loyal and passionate fanbase, with around half of 2023 race weekend’s guests having attended a previous edition in recent years, according to a press release it issued today.

There has also been a noticeable shift in visitors’ demographics, with a more diversified audience brought on by increased demand from younger fans and female racegoers.

Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a hub for major sporting, entertainment, and cultural events, in line with its strategic vision of economic diversification.

In 2023, the event’s influence was indisputable, with a total weekend expenditure of AED 1.165 billion ($317 million), further cementing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a truly global hub
for tourism and leisure.

Meanwhile, the popularity of Formula 1 continues to soar both regionally and internationally. During the 2023 season, the sport saw over 5.9 million fans attend its 23 race weekends – a 43% increase compared to 2018 – with this year’s record-setting calendar featuring 24 races across 21 countries.

A further enhancement to the fan experience will give racegoers the opportunity to run the iconic Yas Marina Circuit on December 5, ahead of the season finale.

Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO, Ethara, said: ‘The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continues to bring together the excitement of motor racing’s top competitors and some of the world’s biggest music stars, setting the benchmark as the region’s largest sporting and entertainment experience, combined with unique leisure offerings across the race weekend’.

‘Ethara are set once again to deliver a full calendar of award-winning events and are ready once more to bring incredible spectacles to our fans and deliver on our brand promise of making moments
that matter.

‘Yas Island and Abu Dhabi are setting higher standards than ever before, attracting thousands of international visitors to this regional hub looking for a combination of tourism and major sporting and entertainment events.’

As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebrates its 16th edition, the iconic event has become a catalyst for the flourishing tourism and leisure industries in the region, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe to experience the electrifying atmosphere and unparalleled hospitality that Abu Dhabi has to offer.

The organisers of Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 are gearing up to deliver a bigger and more exhilarating race weekend (December 6-8) on Yas Island than ever before, as Formula One is set to deliver its biggest season amid the sport’s exponential global growth.

The region’s largest sport and entertainment weekend continues to grow year-on-year, becoming a cornerstone of the region’s tourism and leisure sectors.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), praised the successful hosting of the UAE for the first edition of the Gulf Youth Games 2024, noting the outstanding preparations and great efforts made to ensure the success of this historic first-of-its-kind event for Gulf youth.

In his statements, Jasem AlBudaiwi described the opening ceremony as impressive, embodying concepts of authenticity and youth spirit. Its segments focused on sustainability, solidarity, and youth.

He expressed his happiness with the large attendance of participating delegations and the noble fraternal competition among siblings, affirming that the tournament marks a distinguished start towards a better future for Gulf sports.

The GCC Secretary-General attended the official opening ceremony of the first Gulf Youth Games, alongside several Gulf leaders and personalities.

The competitions of the tournament started on 16th April and will continue until 2nd May under t
he slogan “Our Gulf is One… Our youth are promising”.

ABudaiwi extended congratulations to the wise leadership of the UAE and its brotherly people for hosting the historic first Gulf Youth Games, describing it as a qualitative leap for joint Gulf action and expressing profound gratitude to those in charge for their visionary leadership in organising the tournament, which represents a fundamental source for discovering talents and creating champions.

Source: Emirates News Agency

The Beirut Marathon Association continues its participation in international marathons through periodic delegations.

The race director at the association, Irabi Nael, participated in the 2024 Boston Marathon, which is the oldest historically, with its 128th edition, featuring 35,000 runners from around the world.

Nael recorded a time of 00:44:3 hours and also volunteered for a full day at the race expo.

Nael also participated in the London Marathon as a runner and as an assistant to runners to complete the marathon distance (under 4 hours). The operations manager at the association, Francoise Nehme, was present at the race.

Nael and Nehme discussed with a representative from the London Marathon organizing committee the arrival of a technical team to assist the association in the Beirut Marathon scheduled for November 10th.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Doha: Umm Salal upstaged defeated Al Duhail 2-0 in Week 21 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium of Al Gharafa club on Wednesday.

Lucas Joao scored a brace in the 48th and 90th minutes for Umm Salal. Reigning champions Al Duhail were hit hard when two of their players received red cards Almoez Ali (after a second yellow card in the 45th minute) and Mohammed Musa in the 87th minute.

Th league’s official website said that, each time The Red Knights were reprimanded, The Orange Fortress gained advantage and scored, thereby spoiling Al Duhails hopes.

The result saw Umm Salal take their own tally to 27 points, while Al Duhail, suffering their ninth loss of the season, remained on 28 points.

The opening goal for Umm Salal was realized as a miss-pass of Al Duhail was intercepted by Victor Lekhal, who then sent the ball to his right for Joao to essay a strong left-foot strike which hit the outstretched right hand of goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy before going in. Joao then returned
into the thick of action just before end of normal time scoring his and the teams second goal.

Source: Qatar News Agency