Dubai’s year-end sporting action

The end of 2014 witnessed Dubai host a range of heart-thumping events such as the 5^th Dubai international Parachuting Championship, the Dubai Rugby Sevens and the Dubai Open 2014, asserting its status as the venue of choice for international sporting action. A report

5th Dubai International Parachuting Championship

The 5th Dubai International Parachuting Championships (DIPC) have turned heads during early December as some of the world’s best daredevils took to the skies to compete for the honour of the world’s best in class at Sky Dive Dubai, in Dubai Marina.

Dubai International Parachuting Championship is one of the most important events that are organized in the United Arab Emirates, which coincides with the National Day celebrations of UAE every year, the 5th parachuting championships took place at Skydive Dubai from Wednesday 26 Nov 2014 to 7 Dec 2014.

This event which lasted for 12 days attracted many of the world champions in skydiving who participate besides beginners, both women and men. The thrilling tournament included a set of categories such as accuracy landing, formation skydiving, canopy formation, canopy piloting and artistic events as well as Freestyle.

Dubai Rugby Sevens: South Africa outgun Australia to emerge champions

Fiji beat New Zealand to take third place

South Africa outgunned first-time Dubai finalists Australia 33-7 to claim their first Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens title since 2008.

This is their third triumph in Dubai having previously won in 2006 and 2008.

They overcame the heartbreak of their 17-29 loss to Fiji in last year’s final, with the Aussies finding the lightning-quick Blitzbokke trio of Philip Snyman, Seabelo Senatla and Ruhan Nel too hot to handle.

There was more joy for South Africa following their crowning glory – Werner Kok was named the player of the tournament for his outstanding overall performance across both days of competition in the men’s tournament.

The runner-up finish here was a huge improvement for Australia from their 2013 performance, though, when they finished in ninth position as the Bowl champions. It was also the first time since 2002 that they had got past the semi-final stage.

Earlier, in what was their first Cup semi-final tie against each other in 12 years, Australia and Fiji played out the match of the evening – one that was only decided in sudden-death extra time. Trailing 0-19 at one stage and 5-19 at the break, the Aussies came roaring back in the second period, and after it ended 24-24 at the end of regulation time, went through to their first Cup Final in Dubai thanks to Greg Jeloudev’s try from a coast-to-coast move.

Fiji, however, gained some consolation later, when they beat New Zealand, who have won 12 of the 15 overall titles so far and who had finished third in Dubai last year, 26-12 in the 3rd-4th place play-off.  

Dubai Open 2014

In another first for the city, Dubai played host to the Asian Tour’s final event of 2014 in December, underscoring the buoyancy of the golf industry in the country and across the region. It witnessed New South Welshman Jake Higginbottom staged a late rally to regain his full status on the Asian Tour with a 4th place finish at the final event of the 2014 season, the Dubai Open.

Higginbottom began the week in 65th position on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and needed a top ten at worse if he was to climb inside the top 60, the benchmark for retaining status.

After only just making the cut with opening rounds of 71 and 70, the 21 year old from Charlestown near Newcastle crept closer with a 3rd round of 69 to move into 28th position but then stormed home with a final round of 64 at the Els Club to finish 4th in the event behind winner Arjun Atwal and 53rd on the Order of Merit.

It was the second year in succession where Higginbottom had flirted with losing his status in Asia as in his rookie season in 2013 he finished 60th.

Other Australians inside the top 60 are Scott Hend (4th), Cameron Smith (5th), Unho Park (27th), Marcus Both (29th), Andrew Dodt (30th), Adam Groom (34th), Sam Brazel (38th), Scott Barr (42nd), Terry Pilkadaris (43rd), Kalem Richardson (50th), Nathan Holman (52nd) Higginbottom (53rd) and Kieran Pratt (54th).

The first event of the 2105 Asian Tour season comes at the Malaysian Open beginning on February 5th.

A welcome addition to the city’s growing portfolio of world-class events, the Dubai Open, as the tournament is called, is being promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi, who are an old hand at staging high-profile sporting events like the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and the MENA Golf Tour.

As part of a three-year agreement with the Asian Tour, ‘golf in DUBAi’ will manage all aspects of its end-of-year spectacular that has the potential to become one of the most illustrious stops on the region’s premier Tour.

The landscape of Dubai has changed dramatically since the city first hosted an international golf tournament — the Omega Dubai Desert Classic — in 1989, and today the sport has become a key component of Dubai’s ambitious drive to host 20 million visitors annually by 2020 – the year the city will host the World Expo.

Talks with prospective sponsors and different Dubai golf clubs are at an advanced stage and ‘golf in DUBAi’ will soon announce the official title, the venue and dates of the newest Asian Tour tournament in the city.

“The arrival of the Asian Tour is very exciting news for all of us in Dubai and we are extremely confident of delivering the event in sync with Dubai’s reputation as an ideal golfing destination,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.

“We feel honoured that the Asian Tour has placed its trust in us and we will strive to deliver a memorable week for its members and the UAE fans,” he said, adding: “Events like this will continue to strengthen our strong historical ties with Asia.

“Dubai’s economy benefits both directly and indirectly from golf tourism, and there is a positive synergy between golf and the key tourism sectors. Golf is just one of the many reasons that people visit Dubai to savour the experience of playing on courses of international standard,” he said.

Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han was equally upbeat about the success of what he called an important stop in Dubai. “With so many prestigious tournaments, in particular the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, happening out there, the city is ideally placed to capitalise on its unique position as a diverse and high quality golfing destination.

“We feel proud and privileged to join hands with an organisation whose track record of hosting international golf tournaments is second to none.

“The Asian Tour is delighted to be coming to Dubai and I am sure our players will be very excited to compete in this new and exciting event in December. As a players’ organisation, the Asian Tour is represented by an eclectic mix of the finest players from across the region and internationally and we look forward to entertaining golf fans in Dubai.”