Abu Dhabi Atheltics

                                                    Photo credited to Jim Caple

The United Arab Emirates has made itself known for many things: size, scale, and scope of everything they do is above and beyond. But one thing they are not known for is athletics. Well, that is about to change. Outside of multiple unsuccssful bids for hosting the Olympics, the UAE is slowly, but surely making its way onto the athletic scene. 

As a start, Abu Dhabi is scheduled to host the Laureus World Sports Awards. This event celebrates the worlds greatest athletes from all sports and countries. The chairman of these prestigous awards, Edwin Moses, stated that "The Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony being held here at the Emirates Palace Wednesday night is a huge boost to the UAE and the region and will inspire young people to take up sport,". Mohammad Ebrahim Mahmoud, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is confident in the message being sent,"Abu Dhabi has hosted a lot of world class sports events. We want to go further and work harder to make Abu Dhabi a prime destination for sports and tourism."

Another event Abu Dhabi plans to host is the Abu Dhabi Wakestock 2010. "Wakestock Abu Dhabi represents the first stop on the prestigious 2010 WWA Wakeboard World Series as the sport's top 16 athletes compete off the shore of Al Sahil Beach for a share of the $50,000 prize and the title of Wakestock Abu Dhabi Champion 2010," according to Abu Dhabi Wakestock's official website. Just another way for the United Arab Emirates to solidfy its position in the world of sports. Anything is possible.