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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 23 July 2016 – UAE’s Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan today launched the 2016 Jubilee Games. The event is the emirate’s first intra-community global sports tournament. “We are delighted to have, if only for a few days, our global community enlarged by the visit of over 2 000 athletes and their supporters from more than 25 countries.” said Sheikh Nahyan.
Organised by the Ismaili Muslim community in association with the Dubai Sports Council, the Opening Ceremony was also attended by Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the eldest son of His Highness the Aga Khan. “You have clearly responded to the extraordinary leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan.” noted Sheikh Nahayan. He continued “These Jubilee Games speak eloquently to the wisdom, courage, global vision, humanitarian initiatives and moral strength that have marked his fifty-nine years of enlightened guidance and leadership as Imam of the Ismaili community.”
Thanking Sheikh Nahyan for his patronage of the Jubilee Games, Prince Rahim also expressed gratitude to the government of UAE for its support of the Games. “These moments will be memorable for all of us and particularly for our young athletes who will remember these Games and cherish the memories for a very very long time.” Prince Rahim continued, “In the current times, I can think of no better way than this and of no better place than Dubai to promote the notion of bringing young minds from diverse backgrounds and different environments together in the spirit of friendship and peace. Indeed this is in keeping with the theme of Expo 2020.”
The inaugural Jubilee Games was held in 2008 as a commemorative international programme and legacy of the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan.
The 2016 Jubilee Games in Dubai have attracted more than 10,000 spectators from over 25 countries. The Games will be played at a number of different venues across the city, including the prestigious Hamdan Sports Complex and the Sevens Stadium. The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) will serve as the hub of all activities, including cultural performances that will showcase local and international talent.
“Being awarded the honour of hosting the Jubilee Games is recognition of Dubai’s stature as a global leading city, built on the fabric of its multi-cultural society, and the city’s inherent ability to bring together people, perspectives and passions from all over the world. This, coupled with the city’s cutting edge infrastructure and smart services, both decisive enablers of successful mega event delivery, will make these Games a truly international hallmark in the world of sport and one that we are proud to have the opportunity to deliver,” said His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism and Commercial Marketing.
Over 2 000 volunteers, many of whom have been working for over 18 months, have come together from around the world to deliver the Jubilee Games. The Ismaili community has been nominated by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sport Award for “Local Category of Sports Creativity.”
His Excellency Saeed Mohamed Harib, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council said, “The vision of Dubai Sport Council is to create a unique sports community and we do this by increasing community awareness as well as setting up strategic partnerships and thus our collaboration with the Jubilee Games is a manifestation of the same.”
In amongst the many activities being organised as part of the Jubilee Games, the event provides an opportunity to showcase programmes being undertaken by agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network.
The 2016 Jubilee Games are expected to conclude on Friday, 29 July.
For more information on the Jubilee Games, please visit www.TheIsmaili.org/JubileeGames or follow @TheIsmaili on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
