Latest news with #SaoodAlHosani
Al Etihad
21-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
EuroLeague Basketball Final Four ready for slam dunk bonanza in Abu Dhabi
22 May 2025 01:30 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi has played host to some of the best moments in regional basketball, and you can expect more of that when the Final Four in the knockout stage for the EuroLeague, being held this weekend at the Etihad top clubs in Europe's elite basketball league are in the capital. Such is the hype that tickets sold out within seven hours of going on sale in February, according to the league and co-organisers with the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) – Abu agency International Management Group (IMG) had brokered the deal for the Final Four to be staged outside of Europe for the first year's semi-final lineup will see Panathinaikos, the most successful club in the tournament's history with seven titles, take on Fenerbahce Beko on Friday at second semi-final at 10pm sees rookie side Monaco face the club with the most experience at this stage – Olympiacos, with 13 appearances and three titles. 'My phone has been ringing left, right and centre with calls from people wanting to get in,' said Saood Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, about his life since the official announcement in January, a month after Aletihad had broken the story. 'In the overall tourism strategy, sports and entertainment play a significant role and a major share when it comes to events. We are glad to have this partnership with EuroLeague Basketball, and it is important that we continue to capitalise on the investments we have made on the game itself because we see it as not only a tourism play, but also to continue this integration with community and sports development here in the city and the country," he year's tournament features a development component, with the staging of the youth equivalent – the NextGen Finals – where eight boys' teams will slug it out on May 22-25 for the Under-18 future LeBron James or Luka Doncic could emerge of the eight sides, one of which will be the host team, Dubai senior team of the Dubai outfit, meanwhile, is having a stellar debut in the Adriatic league (ABA), beating Cedevita Olimpija Slovenia 85-76 on Tuesday night to reach the Dhabi has also hosted pre-season games for two teams from America's NBA, in addition to a Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League for school children. Speaking exclusively with Aletihad along with Al Hosani was the Chief Executive Officer of the EuroLeague, Paulius Motiejunas, who has been focused on uniting the shareholders behind plans for future growth in key markets beyond Europe, while enhancing the game experience at arenas, on television and on digital platforms. Established in 1958, the league has gone through various iterations under different organising bodies and formats. This weekend's Final Four will be the 25th year of the format under EuroLeague Basketball.'It is our 25th anniversary, so we have lined up a lot of activities. A long list of celebrity players and former stars will also be seen off the court,' said on the deal for Abu Dhabi to host the Final Four for three years, according to basketball media reports, Motiejunas said, 'We are really happy to open up a new market, which we have never visited in the Middle East, especially.'We believe we are the best basketball league in the world... our slogan 'Every Game Matters' follows us everywhere, so we wanted to unlock and bring this passion here in Abu Dhabi. We have one year and we will sit down to talk right after this event and hopefully come back.'We need to not forget that we have European clubs and European fans. For sure, Abu Dhabi is the best place for people to travel and to experience a wonderful city with all the attractions. But we also cannot forget our roots. So it would be hopefully nearby, not every year in a row for three years, but every other year we could be back here in Abu Dhabi.'When the EuroLeague returns, Al Hosani predicts the sport will have seen significant more development.'Today, because of deals like the NBA and EuroLeague, the players participating in the games [in the UAE] have increased by 60%. This is always part of our priority and we're evolving with our partnerships all over to make sure to have the right impact on the community,' he said. 'The fans have increased by 25% since we collaborated with the NBA. And hopefully we will see more of that happening by adding to the community here. We are really happy with the overwhelming exposure that we're getting with the final this weekend. I mean, this is the best time. I feel everyone really want to be a part of it.' Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Zawya
25-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
DCT Abu Dhabi signs partnership to become official global partner of Euroleague Basketball
Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Euroleague Basketball have announced a new global partnership, naming 'Experience Abu Dhabi' the official tourism and travel destination of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The collaboration further solidifies the emirate as a hub for sporting excellence and a platform for the world's foremost IPs. Beginning with the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 27, 'Experience Abu Dhabi' will be prominently featured across EuroLeague and EuroCup games, including in-arena signage and live broadcasts. Additionally, the partnership will extend into the digital sphere, with significant brand presence across Euroleague Basketball's digital platforms and exclusive branded content, amplifying Abu Dhabi's global visibility. HE Saood Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: 'Our partnership with Euroleague Basketball is a significant milestone in Abu Dhabi's evolution as a premier global sporting destination and a trusted partner for top global brands. As the official tourism and travel destination of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup, we are proud to champion basketball in the region, driving mutual growth while further igniting passion for the sport. We look forward to welcoming basketball fans from around the world, offering them an unforgettable experience that blends world-class competition with Abu Dhabi's rich culture, warm hospitality, and vibrant entertainment." Abu Dhabi has rapidly established itself as a premier sports hub in the Middle East, hosting world-class events such as the FIFA Club World Cup (2009, 2010), Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Abu Dhabi World Triathlon Championship Series, UFC events, and the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Basketball has also gained traction in the emirate, with Abu Dhabi hosting NBA pre-season games and the USA Basketball Showcase, which featured national teams from the USA, Serbia, and Australia. Gawain Davies, Euroleague Basketball Chief Commercial Officer, said: 'We are delighted to announce this new partnership, which is a natural evolution following the confirmation of the EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi. The Middle East, and Abu Dhabi in particular, is emerging as a top-tier tourism destination, with sports playing a key role in its leisure and entertainment offerings. This collaboration will reinforce that message, bringing Abu Dhabi's unique attractions to the global Euroleague Basketball audience.' The new announcement follows an agreement between Euroleague Basketball, DCT Abu Dhabi, and Etihad Arena to host the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, from May 23 to 25, for the first time in history. Hosting the Final Four in Abu Dhabi aligns with Euroleague Basketball's long-term vision of reaching new audiences and strengthening its 25-year legacy of excellence, marking a significant expansion for Euroleague Basketball into new global markets. This strategic sports expansion aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors, generate 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector, and contribute AED 90 billion to the emirate's GDP by 2030. About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries. DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought. For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: and For more information, please contact: Reem Jrade Senior Account Executive About Euroleague Basketball Euroleague Basketball (EB) is a global leader in the sports and entertainment business, devoted to running the top European competitions of professional basketball clubs under a unique and innovative organizational model. Owned and administered by some of the most successful and historic clubs in the world, EB manages the continent's two premier men's basketball competitions, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup, as well as the sport's premier under-18 showcase, the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague. The EB competitions bring the elite of European basketball to all five continents and to the entire sports community through the OTT platform EuroLeague TV. EB also organizes a series of community and educational activities, led by the One Team program, in alignment with the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. On the academic side, the EB Sports Business MBA trains future professionals in sports management. For more information, please contact: mediacommunication@
