July 2, 2009

Dubai eyes 2020 Olympic, World Expo bids

DUBAI

Dubai will set up a committee to decide whether to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games and the World Expo that year, state media reported, the latest effort by the Gulf emirate to attract international attention and business despite its financial woes.

Dubai’s ruler has relied on such large-scale global ambitions to help drive his territory from little more than a patch of sand fifteen years ago to the Middle East’s business, sports and tourism hub. But the emirate has been hammered by the global financial crisis, struggling with massive debt as its key business sectors have declined.

Although the ruling Al Maktoum family has scaled back some of its development plans, it has managed to capitalize on its many sports investments to help weather the global economic downturn.

It opened a US$120-million cricket stadium in April that has served as a home ground for Pakistan in five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match against Australia.

The lavish stadium is part of Dubai Sports City, a cluster of mega-venues that will stage sports and entertainment events and set up training facilities and specialized academies for golf, tennis, soccer, rugby, cricket and swimming.

Under construction since 2002, the project’s managers say progress has been undeterred despite the economic crisis.

The complex could be key to a bid for the 2020 Olympics, which will be decided by a committee decreed by Dubai’s ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, according to the official United Arab Emirates WAM news agency.

The group will also decide whether to push to host the 2020 World Expo, a large public exhibition that has been held since the mid-19th century to showcase achievements in art, design, education and trade.

Associated Press

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