Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award is targeting Gulf neighbours Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Yemen along with African countries Mauritania, Tunisia, Somalia and Sudan in an attempt to spread awareness of the annual prize among Arab nations.
The seventh edition of the award was formally launched at the Dubai Press Club on Tuesday, with officials hoping to encourage some of the countries who have not previously shown keenness in applying for the award.
The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, which is the first of its kind in the world, is aimed at inspiring and awarding creativity in the field of sports and athletics in honour of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Launched in May 2007 by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the award honours individuals, teams and establishments. The award is the largest in terms of value and categories, and the first-ever devoted to creativity in sports.
“For some reason, countries like Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, Mauritania, Tunisia, Somalia and Sudan have not been keen in coming forward to apply for this award that bears the name of our leader Shaikh Mohammad,” Khalid Ali Bin Zayed, General Secretary of the award, told Gulf News.
“Some of these countries have recorded great sporting achievements in the past, but they have seldom taken the trouble to come forward and apply for this award. To correct this situation we will be conducting media campaigns in most of the countries, but with particular attention to these few nations who have kept away.
“We have a plan in place where our teams will conduct publicity campaigns and special visits to various locations in the UAE and our fellow Arab countries.”
DSC General Secretary Saeed Hareb added: “Since the launch of this award, we have done well to connect with our brotherly nations as this award is our true access to the rest of the world.
“There is so much potential among Arab nations and we hope all countries utilise this platform by applying for this prestigious award.”
The awards are divided into three categories including local, regional and international creative works.
