The inaugural Sport Impact Summit (SIS) 2024 united over 200 global leaders, dignitaries, and changemakers at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, to champion the transformative power of sport in addressing critical global challenges, including climate action, sustainability, and human health.

The summit, held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports, and in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Suhail Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the General Authority of Sports, provided an engaging platform for impactful discussions, innovative partnerships, and actionable solutions.

Key highlights included the UAE Ministry of Sport Masterclass, presented by Oxford SDG and Sport Impact, showcasing best practices in sustainability leadership. The summit also featured powerful stories of innovation and advocacy from organizations like McLaren, Deloitte, ATP Tour, Nitto, Sail GP, and Reflo, emphasizing the sport industry’s role in fostering environmental stewardship.

The event’s agenda also included:

-Moneyball Talk: Hosted by Dureka Carrasquillo, this session explored the evolving financial landscape of sustainability sponsorship in sports with insights from 1.5 Capital, SURJ, Udinese Calcio, and VTV Consulting.

-Player Power Panel: Featuring Justin Coghlan, Dominic Thiem, and Lucy Shuker, the panel highlighted athletes’ increasing influence in driving meaningful change.

-Biodiversity Tour: In partnership with Goumbook and Atlantis Dubai, this initiative highlighted the critical connection between sport and environmental preservation.-Mike Ford, Co-Founder of SIS, noted, “The overwhelming enthusiasm we’ve witnessed confirms the sporting world’s readiness to take bold action to address sustainability and human health challenges. This summit marks the beginning of a global movement. We are thrilled to announce a series of future masterclasses across the region and the launch of the Sport Impact Summit 2025, aligning with the Dubai Fitness Challenge next year.”

Sean Morris, Co-Founder of SIS, added, “The success of this summit underscores the collective power of sport and the necessity of collaborative action. This event has catalyzed partnerships and ideas that will shape the future of sustainability in sport, driving tangible progress toward a better world.”

A tactical ride from Mansoor Al Shedi aboard Nil Boy 16 ensured Zabeel Stables won the DIEC 101km Commemoration Day Cup for Private Stables at Dubai International Endurance City in Seeh Al Salam on Thursday.

Partnering the nine-year-old gelding, Al Shedi won the four-loop ride in a time of three hours, 25 minutes and one second (3:25:01), the pair going about their business at an average speed of 29.56kph, which was marginally faster than the average speed recorded by second finishing pair of Fares Al Mansoori and Al Tantawy, representing SS Stables, who completed the ride in 3:25:27.

Placing a distant third, with 3:26:53 on the clock, were Ahmed Al Marzooqi and Adrar, who competed in the colours of Al Qubaisi Private Stables.

Al Shedi and his mount were third at the end of the first loop, where the lead was secured by Anan Al Katheeri aboard Dakar who were quickest in the opening stage. 

In a race that saw the lead change hands constantly, Khalifa Salem Al Ameemi of SS Stables took over at the end of the second phase aboard Ras Trovador. However, their elimination during the course of the third loop, left Al Marzooqi and Adrar in charge of the leaderboard.

Al Shedi had dropped four places during the second loop, but worked his way up from that seventh position he found himself at to reach second going into the fourth and final phase.

And as he turned on the heat, leader Al Marzooqi and his mount Adrar failed to keep pace and ceded the initiative to them with Al Mansoori and his racing partner Al Tantawy doing well to sneak into second with Al Marzooqi forced into the third and final podium spot.

Board Member and General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, presented the winners with their trophies, commenting: “It was a terrific effort from the winning combination to finish the way they did and I would like to congratulate the winners for their efforts. I would like to thank the stables for participating in the event and getting their horses and riders ready for this very important ride.

“We have a long season ahead of us that is going to be very exciting and we wish all of those involved all the very best for what lies ahead.”

The season at Dubai International Endurance City includes a series of top rides with the world-renowned HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival, the two showpiece events on its calendar.

The IPL 2025 Auction saw several of the Abu Dhabi T10 players bagging lucrative contracts with various IPL franchises, reflecting the significance and impact of the tournament on the global cricket scenario. The fast-paced nature of the T10 competition has helped the players handle and perform well in situations of high pressure, a quality necessary and appreciated for IPL.

From veterans like Jos Buttler and Trent Boult to budding youngsters such as Noor Ahmad and AM Ghazanfar, multiple Abu Dhabi T10 players were able to gain the trust of the IPL franchises. This will further help in increasing the popularity of T10 cricket while also giving a boost to the UAE as a growing hub of the sport.

Here is the complete list of Abu Dhabi T10 players who were signed by IPL franchises:

Jos Buttler (Deccan Gladiators) – Rs. 15.75 crore (AED 7.02 million) – bought by Gujarat Titans
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (UP Nawabs) – Rs. 2 crore (AED 892,000) – bought by Kolkata Knight Riders
Marcus Stoinis (Deccan Gladiators) – Rs. 11 crore (AED 4.91 million) – bought by Punjab Kings
Liam Livingstone (Bangla Tigers) – Rs. 8.75 crore (AED 3.81 million) – bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore
Phil Salt (Team Abu Dhabi) – Rs. 11.5 crore (AED 5.14 million) – bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Trent Boult (Northern Warriors) – Rs. 12.5 crore (AED 5.59 million) – bought by Mumbai Indians
Maheesh Theekshana (Deccan Gladiators) – Rs. 4.4 crore (AED 1.96 million) – bought by Rajasthan Royals
Noor Ahmad (Team Abu Dhabi) – Rs. 10 crore (AED 4.46 million) – bought by Chennai Super Kings
Anrich Nortje (Deccan Gladiators) – Rs. 6.5 crore – (AED 2.9 million)- bought by Kolkata Knight Riders
Faf du Plessis (Morrisville Samp Army) – Rs. 2 crore (AED 892,000) – bought by Delhi Capitals
Sherfane Rutherford (Northern Warriors) – Rs. 2.6 crore (AED 1.16 million) – Bought by Gujarat Titans
Rovman Powell (Delhi Bulls) – Rs. 1.5 crore (AED 669,000) – Bought by Kolkata Knight Riders
AM Ghazanfar (Team Abu Dhabi) – Rs. 4.8 crore (AED 2.14 million) – Bought by Mumbai Indians
Reece Topley (New York Strikers) – Rs. 75 Lakhs (AED 335,000) – Bought by Mumbai Indians
Azmatullah Omarzai (Northern Warriors) – Rs. 2.4 crore (AED 1.04 million) – Bought by Punjab Kings
Fazalhaq Farooqi (Delhi Bulls) – Rs. 2 crore (AED 892,000) – Bought by Rajasthan Royals
Tim David (Delhi Bulls) – Rs. 3 crore (AED 1.34 million) – Bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore
Nuwan Thushara (Chennai Jaguar Braves) – Rs. 1.6 crore (AED 713,000) – Bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore
Donovan Ferreira (New York Strikers) – Rs. 75 Lakh (AED 335,000) – Bought by Delhi Capitals