Sportex Middle East 2007 to open in November, Dubai Sports Council endorses show

This year Sportex Middle East 2007, organized by International Expo Consults (IEC), is endorsed by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Dr. Ahmad Al Sharif, General Secretary, Dubai Sports Council said:

"The region as a whole, with the rapid development of sports and leisure infrastructure is now fast gaining a reputation as a global sports tourism centre. We are glad to endorse Sportex Middle East 2007 in the wake of Dubai becoming a prime destination for sports and leisure industry, contributing to the 15 annual growth in inbound tourism."

He said Dubai has pioneered the industry being the venue of world-class sporting events that has brought global attention to the emirate. "Dubai is also leading infrastructure development in this sector with various developments," he added.

Unveiling the details of the show, which will run till November 13 2007, Mr. Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, President, Falak Holding and International Expo Consults, said: "The salience of Sportex Middle East has grown in tandem with the region's rising stature in sports and leisure industry across the world. Apart from the recreational aspect, sports and leisure industry is gaining ground as an economic activity with the potential of attracting tourists from across the world to GCC and the Middle East."

He said the global sports and leisure industry players are now focusing on the region with the rise in the uptake of sports goods, leisure equipment and the multi-billion dollar worth of hectic infrastructure development, particularly across all GCC countries.

"The show's significance is evident from the increased participation in the 2007 edition. Regional sports and leisure industry is now one of the components of the economic diversification process since it attracts tourism and help raise the sector's contribution to the GDP," Mr. Falaknaz said.

Keeping in view the vast gamut of the sports and leisure industry and its close-knit relation to the tourism sector, Sportex Middle East 2007 this time has been conceived as a more integrated show with a wide array of the industry segments under its canopy. Sportex ME 2007 will have participants from 12 countries.

The sectors which the expo will cover include fitness equipment and accessories, indoor games, water sports, sports infrastructure, accessories like shoes and apparel etc. among others. The visitor profile of the show include sports goods retailers, gym owners, sports and fitness professionals, real estate developers, local sports associations & authorities and government bodies.

The Middle East Fitness Summit (Mefit-06) organised in conjunction with Mefitpro (Middle East Fitness Professionals), will also be part of the show.