Sportex Middle East 2007 opens with 80 participants from 12 countries

Sportex 2007 was inaugurated H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA). The expo which will be a veritable platform for global players including sports goods manufacturers, service providers and sports infrastructure developers incorporates a unique body building competition and Middle East Fitness Summit 2007 (Mefit-07).

Commenting on the significance of Sportex 2007, Mr. Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, President, Falak Holding and International Expo Consults, said:

"Sportex 2007 is envisaged as a comprehensive platform to promote trade, services as well as entertainment, leisure and health, which is why the exhibitors range from sports goods manufacturers to nutrition supplement companies. In the Middle East, particularly in the GCC, the spread of a sports culture is happening at an unprecedented pace fuelling a very vibrant market for sports goods, infrastructure and services."

Sportex 2007 is organized by International Expo Consults, part of Falak Holding which has varied business interests including in real estate and is a significant share holder in Dubai Sports City. 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.

Mr. Falaknaz said that said that GCC countries were also spending billions of dollars in sports infrastructure with the rising enthusiasm towards sports and Sportex 2007 comes at an opportune time of growth for global companies to tap into the regional market. "There is increasing awareness of the potential of sports, leisure and entertainment tourism and the focus on these segments have risen with the advancing pace of economic diversification in the GCC. In this context, Sportex 2007 is not limited to sports alone and has a significant interest in activities that promote sports tourism as a revenue earner," he said.

Mr. Falaknaz said that the aim of adding the body building competition and the Middle East Fitness Summit as part of Sportex 2007 was to significantly expose the rising health consciousness in the region leading to the development of a new market segment. The body building competition is conducted under the patronage of Emirates Body Building and Weight Lifting Federation and Mefit 07 is organized in conjunction with Mefitpro (Middle East Fitness Professionals).

The companies exhibiting at Sportex 2007 are from across the globe including the US, the UK, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Australia, Slovenia, South Korea, India, China, Taiwan and the UAE. Dubai Sports City will also be showcasing the project at the exhibition which is se to attract thousands of visitors from across the region.

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.