Maria Sharapova to grace the formal launch of Dubai Lifestyle City on November 13, 2007

Announcing the launch, Mr. Arif B. Rahman, Managing Director, Dubai Lifestyle City, has said, "Maria Sharapova as the celebrated tennis player and style icon represents the concept of haute living personified by Dubai Lifestyle City. She epitomizes the success, style and standard that a Dubai Lifestyle City home-owner would aspire for." Mr. Rahman also added that Maria Sharapova's presence at the launch is a testimony to the importance IMG Academies give to their partnership with Dubai Lifestyle City.

Mr. Karan Johar, ace Indian Film maker is also a special guest at the launch. The project has already received immense interest from investors across the globe and is also translating to sales.

As part of the official launch of the project, Dubai Lifestyle City authorities are planning a number of events, including a dinner with Maria Sharapova, to which five lucky winners who registered at the Dubai Lifestyle City-Cityscape will be invited. The programs also include an interaction between ace Indian Film Director Karan Johar and Sharapova. Sharapova will also inaugurate Dubai Lifestyle City's Wall of Fame on the occasion, by becoming the first of celebrities to leave an imprint on the wall.

Dubai Lifestyle City, based in Dubailand sprawling over an area of four million square feet, is envisaged as a unique destination that offers its residents and visitors an enchanting lifestyle within a calm and natural environment. The project partners include some of the most respected international brands to give it a special touch of efficacy, exclusivity and credibility, including JW Marriott, IMG Academies, Cisco and Microsoft. Tony Ashai, the celebrated Beverley Hills designer, has designed Dubai Lifestyle City in the famed Tuscany style of architecture, reminiscent of the renaissance.

Maria Sharapova is a celebrated Russian professional tennis player and a former World No. 1 who is currently the fourth-ranked female player in the world. At the end of 2006, she was the world's highest-paid female athlete. Sharapova won two grand Slam singles titles and is a former U.S. Open champion. Earlier, she had defeated Serena Williams in the final at Wimbledon.

IMG Academies, which houses Maria Sharapova's alma mater Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, is partnering with Dubai Lifestyle City to set up the first branch of the famed academy outside the United States. Until recently, Sharapova lived most of the year near the IMG training facility in Bradenton.

The ace sport institution, known for training the likes of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova and Monica Seles, will for the first time through Dubai Lifestyle City make available to the region world-class training facilities for all sports, particularly tennis and golf.