ABU DHABI 12 October 2018: Abu Dhabi City has qualified for the final stages of the race to become the World Capital of Sports 2019, a world-class award organised by the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation (Aces Europe).
Only the UAE capital and Taiwan’s Taipei are vying for the coveted title.
This was announced at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council on Thursday in the presence of Gian Francesco Lupattelli, President and Founder Aces Europe; Hugo Alonso, Aces Secretary General; and Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), said Wam.
The Aces delegation includes nine of the world’s most renowned sports experts from Spain, Italy, China, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Scotland, Portugal, and Czech Republic.
They toured the sports facilities of Zayed Sports City, Yas Arena, Al Forsan Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi Golf Club in addition to a number of other sports facilities in the UAE capital. They were briefed on the sports policies and regulations in the city, which are among the award main eligibility criteria.
Aces President thanked the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, for the services they received during their inspection visit to reach a final say about selecting one the two cities to become the world’s Capital of Sports.
He reviewed the history of the award and the key cities that won the global title while elaborating on the general regulations governing the selection process.
Alonso said the award eligibility criteria include the volume and quality of global and societal sports activities organsied by the candid city besides the sports practice level among residents and visitors. A minimum of 80 points is the prerequisite for being eligible to the award, he explained.