Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum yesterday attended the opening session of the 10th Dubai International Sports Conference. The two-day event is being held at Jumeirah City Resort in Dubai, discussing the theme, ‘Challenges and Achievements'.

Also, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, accompanied Sheikh Mohammed.

Among those who also attended the opening session were H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC), Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State, H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Director General of the Dubai Information Department, Mater Al Tayer, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, and supervisor and host of the conference, Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director- General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai, a number of sports and youth figures, football stars, technical managers and football decision makers.

The session started with a short documentary film about Argentinian footballer Maradona, who spoke about his history, football achievements and challenges he faced during his long career in this global sports field. The film also touched on the importance of the role played by football, as well as ways to spread its influence.

Sheikh Mohammed attended part of the first session of the conference and participated in the session entitled, 'Challenges Facing International Football Game'.

HRH Prince Ali bin Al-Hussei, President of the Jordanian Football Association, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu and AC Milan club director Umberto Gandin presided over the session.

While leaving the conference hall, Sheikh Mohammed expressed his pleasure at having hosted such a large and diverse gathering of stars, experts and decision-makers in football, regionally and internationally, which reflects upon the UAE's leadership, government and institutions' attention in organising international events and youth meetings, which contributes to shortening distances and exchanges of cultures and experiences between Emirati youth and others throughout the world.

He added that such meetings would enhance the UAE's stature on the humanitarian, geographic, tourist and sports maps for the benefit of the reputation of the UAE and Emiratis.

While exchanging talks with those who accompanied him, Sheikh Mohammed also reiterated that sports, in general, and football, in particular, are the shortest and easiest way to achieve rapprochement between peoples and remove geographic, political and ethnic barriers, especially among the youth, adding that interaction and communications are very important for youth.

He also noted that winning trophies would satisfy sports fans and enhance the prestige and reputation of their countries on an international level, indicating that sports builds bodies and provides opportunities for all people to understand each other and build personal, cultural and humanitarian friendships.

Sheikh Mohammed praised the achievements of the conference, which could gather such a large number of stars and key sports figures in sports and football.
Source: WAM