Sportex Middle East to grow by 30 per cent

The next show will be held in conjunction with Theme Parks and Fun Centres (TPFC) - the region's premier amusement and leisure trade event - from 21 to 23 March 2006.

"The Middle East's sporting goods market is worth over US$ 2 billion representing a 2.5% share of the global market. The exponential annual growth of 23% is attracting a wide and diverse range of international exhibitors, eager to expand into the region," said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice President, IEC.

Meanwhile, IEC says it is looking to further expand the profile and size of Sportex Middle East for 2006.

"New vertical arenas for indoor and outdoor sports, marine sports, fitness and wellness products, including Gulf Stadia (for multi-functional venues), will be introduced. Specialised zones for product demonstrations, sports fashion shows and sports activities are also being planned. This is a direct result of the growing demand throughout the region for dedicated sporting products," said Falaknaz.

"With the Middle East countries bagging seven gold medals at the 2004 summer Olympics, Sheikh Ahmed's first UAE Olympic gold medal and the development of major projects such as Bahrain's Sports City, Qatar's hosting of the Asian Games and Dubai Sports City, the region is poised to emerge as a global sporting and leisure destination."

The 2004 event, held last month (September) at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC), saw over 40 local and international companies from 17 countries exhibit the industry's latest products, technologies and services.

The exhibition received a record number of visitors, 3,266 industry professionals from over 45 countries.

"This attendance surpassed our own forecasts and bodes extremely well for the industry and the future of this event. What was particularly pleasing was the visitor spread, which was wider than ever," said Falaknaz.

US-based Passion 4 Health - manufacturers of natural performance enhancing supplements - a first time exhibitor at Sportex Middle East and Gulf Stadia 2004, said they plan to establish an office in Dubai before the year end and are targeting sales of US $200,000 per month.

"Currently, Middle East sportsmen and women consume over half a million US dollars worth of performance related supplements annually," said Steven L Beldner, the company's Executive Vice President. "The demand for nutrition, performance enhancement and pain relief products is being driven by greater awareness of the benefits these products bring."

Another first time exhibitor at was China's Zhejiang Yingtemei Fitness Equipment Company, which currently exports treadmills worth over US $10 million to the region.

"There are over 2,700 small and medium size and five-Star hotels in the UAE, many of which want the latest equipment for their fitness centres. We received many enquiries and are confident of strong post-show sales," said Chen Xin Yoa, the company's Chairman of the Board and General Manager.

The highlight of this year's show was the visit by Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum - winner of the UAE's first Olympic gold medal- who was at Sportex Middle East and Gulf Stadia 2004, at the invitation of Al Emarat Sports World.

The importance of Sportex Middle East 2004 as a platform for the region's sports and leisure industry was underlined by visitors.

Saad M. Al-Mahmoud of Qatar's Al-Yamama Trading & Cont. Co., planning on supplying equipment to the Asian Games said, "I was looking for new technologies in gym equipment and have got quotations from select Chinese exhibitors. I am happy with the exhibition this year and will be back for the next show."

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Ahmed Amin Al Nemr said, "Even though I didn't strike any deals, I established useful contacts and took numerous quotations which need scrutiny. I found what I was looking for, now I need to compare the various quotations. It was my first visit to Sportex and I'm sure I will visit again."

Sportex Middle East and TPFC 2006 will take place at DIEC from 21-23 March 2006.