Dubai gets FIA nod to host 2010 meeting

The FIA, founded in 1904, with headquarters in Paris, is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of the world's leading motoring organisations, bringing together 219 national motoring and sporting bodies from 130 countries on five continents. Its member clubs represent over 100m motorists and their families.

The decision to award Dubai this prestigious event was not made easy by the fact that there were many other worthy candidates in the fray and the reality that the annual Spring Meeting would actually be shifted out of Europe for the first time in its chequered history.

FIA Vice President for Sport Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is also President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the national motor sport authority here or ASN, welcomed the move saying the decision could not have come at a better time for Dubai.

In a letter addressed to the ATCUAE president on April 3, FIA Region I President Werner Klaus of Austria stated:

"With pleasure I can inform you that the Region I Vice Presidents have chosen Dubai as venue for the 2010 Spring Meeting,"

adding that the decision was subject to ratification by the Region I Management Council in June.

Alliance Internationale Tourisme Director General Peter Doggwiler, who was also at one time Director General of the UK-based FIA Foundation, and FIA Event Manager Vanessa Quinche are expected to visit Dubai in the near future to satisfy themselves that the necessary infrastructure is in place to host an event of such a magnitude.

Sulayem said he is happy to host the two officials, noting that Dubai is more than ready to meet the 2010 challenge in all respects. "This decision by the FIA is fantastic; it is exactly what Dubai and the UAE need at the moment. I am grateful to the FIA for reposing such confidence in not just the ATCUAE as the local ASN, but Dubai and the UAE as a whole."

The ATCUAE president admitted that it would be no small task organizing the event bearing in mind that nearly 200 delegates representing 125-plus countries are expected to attend this prestigious three-day annual meeting.

"Of course the logistics involved will be huge. But we are not new to organizing events of such magnitude," Sulayem said, adding: "Our partners Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Grand Hyatt have promised to make available all resources at their disposal to further enhance Dubai and the UAE's image worldwide."

Sulayem noted that Dubai is home to one of the most modern airports in the world, a fantastic transport network that would be complemented by the new railway system expected to begin operations by the end of the current year, some of the best hotels in the world and, importantly, a security environment second to none.

"Dubai is known worldwide for its many firsts. Now, there will be another: Being host to the first FIA Spring Meeting in the region," Sulayem concluded.