Dubai backs Dubai World Championship

The Dubai World Championship presented by: DP World is the thrilling climax to the season-long Race to Dubai which features 49 golf tournaments in 26 destinations around the world. The top 60 qualifiers from The Race to Dubai will compete on the Greg Norman-designed Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 19-22, 2009, ensuring one of the greatest player fields the Middle East has ever seen.

Atlantis, The Palm, the flagship resort of The Palm Jumeirah, will be the official hotel of the tournament. The 1,539-room resort, created by Kerzner International, will serve as the accommodation headquarters for competitors including current Race leader Martin Kaymer, Ryder Cup legend Sergio Garcia, three-time Major winner Ernie Els, Europe's top-ranked player Paul Casey, and Dubai Desert Classic champion Rory McIlroy.

CNN International, the world's leading supplier of news and information, has also been unveiled as an official media partner of the tournament. The news network, which has its Gulf operations based in Dubai, will support the tournament with an extensive international multi-media campaign.

These partnerships are the latest in a growing number of world-renowned brands who have announced their support of the tournament, which is hosted by Leisurecorp, a division of Nakheel Leisure. Rolex (premier sponsor) and Polo Ralph Lauren (official outfitter) were both unveiled earlier in the year and further partnerships will continue to be announced during the build-up to the tournament.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman, Dubai World and DP World, said: "As the grand finale to the golf season, the Dubai World Championship presented by: DP World is an event of huge sporting importance, which means the eyes of the world will be on Dubai in November.

"The significance of the occasion is reflected in the global stature of the partners who have announced their association with the tournament. I am delighted too that our home grown DP World is supporting this important event. With close to 40,000 golf enthusiasts from all over the globe already registered for tickets and a worldwide television audience of millions, this is a golden opportunity to attract tourists, generate revenue, and showcase Dubai to the world."

Alan Leibman, President/ Managing Director of Atlantis, The Palm said: "The Dubai World Championship is a prestigious international event that will showcase the destination of Dubai. Atlantis is extremely proud to be amongst such prominent partners as the official resort of the tournament. As the newest icon in Dubai, we are thrilled that the players and their families will have the opportunity to discover all of the experiences at Atlantis."