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5 of the best
If you want to catch a Thomas Muster ace or a Tom Lehmann poutt, dubai is the place to be over the coming months. Here Al Shindagah presents a preview of the top upcoming sporting events. Watch out for part two in our next issue.
For racing aficionados the first three months of the new year are
dominated by the prestigious Maktoum Challenge. An assurance of its
elevated status is the European Pattern Committee’s decision to upgrade
the series from a listed event to Group 3.
A reorganised schedule will ensure this year’s event attracts the
strongest field ever assembled for the three round challenge event. Run
over meets on January 22, February 12 and March 5, the challenge is sure
to provide a looking glass into the form guide for the race fraternity’s
magnum opus - the Dubai World Cup.
The Dubai World Cup - March 20 will arguably be the highlight of the
year in Dubai, whether circled in the sport or social calendar.
The annual parade of horse flesh and fashion wear is unparalleled in the
Arab world and is a cosmopolitan spectacle equal to that of any gala
race day around the world.
In sporting terms, the 1998 World Cup has already set aside a barrier
for Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm. December’s Hong Kong
International Vase winner Luso will pound the revamped Nadd Al Sheba
track with seasoned Dubai campaigner Formal Gold and an exclusive
selection from the 82 other nominations received from Australia, Japan,
Peru, New Zealand, the US and Europe.
FEBRUARY Dubai Tennis Open
The 32 player knock-out World Series event will be staged at the Dubai
Tennis Centre (below) where US$1 million will be lavished on the world’s
best hardcourt exponents, including the fifth ranked Yevgeny Kafelnikov
and defending champion Thomas Muster (9).
Clay court specialists Carlos Moya (7), Sergi Bruguera (8) and Marcelo
Rios (10) will tackle accomplished serve and volley opponents Tim Henman
(17) and the legendary Boris Becker, whose world ranking of 63 will bely
his probable popularity rating of Number One.
The tournament follows hot on the heels of the season’s first Grand
Slam, the Australian Open, and follows the Middle East’s only other ATP
tour event in Qatar in January.
The PGA European Tour returns to Dubai in February with the staging of
the tenth Dubai Desert Classic. With prizes totalling $1.3m, the
tournament will be the richest since its inaugaration in 1989. Sponsored
by the Dubai Aluminium Company Limited, the event will see appearances
from Tom Lehman, 1996 winner Colin Montgomerie, 1994 winner Ernie Els
and defending champion, Richard Green (right). The four-day 1998 Desert
Classic tees off from the Emirates Golf Club on Thursday 26 February.
MARCH World Sailing Championship
The number one cricket team in the world, Australia, will renew its
acquaintence with a Sharjah Stadium almost unrecognisable from their
visits in the late 1980s.
New Zealand and perennial drawcards India will complete an intriguing
triumvirate in the battle for the Sharjah Cup from April 16-24.
For India and Australia it will provide the chance for one side to
avenge the test series being held in India between the two countries
immediately prior to the Sharjah round robin tournament.
New Zealand will still be harbouring memories of their southern summer
of discontent caused by test disasters in Australia. But their young
bowlers, headed by the exciting teen prodigy Daniel Vettori, are far
more adept at the abbreviated version of the game and will rate highly
on the slow Sharjah wicket.
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JANUARY Maktoum Challenge
The world’s tennis glitterati roll into Dubai for a week of singles and
doubles action from February 9-16. Half the world’s top ten ranked
professionals are expected to compete in the biggest tennis tournament
in the Middle East, the Dubai Tennis Open.
FEBRUARY Desert Classic Golf
The World Sailing Championships comes to Dubai in March. The Dubai
International Marine Club will be home to the contest, which runs from 2
– 13 March. DMIC is already on the international marine sport map
through its hosting of such prestigious events as the Class 1 World
Powerboat Championships, the ‘95 Aquabike Worlds and the Hobie Cat World
Championship. Two thousand entrants from over 68 countries are expected.
Held every four years, the contest takes place over short courses close
to the shore, allowing spectators to take in all the action. In all,
nine world titles will be decided during the event. The International
Saiing Federation has also designated the Dubai event as the first
qualifier for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
APRIL Sharjah Cup Cricket