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Abu Dhabi promises to serve up a volley of world-class sporting events in 2011 as the UAE capital continues to welcome international athletes and sporting legends to its shores. From the thrills of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the extreme sporting action of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, to the more refined sports of golf, tennis and horse racing, Abu Dhabi's calendar of events offers up a veritable feast for eager spectators. As with everything Abu Dhabi, these events are presented with lashings of Arabic hospitality, five-star facilities, and incomparable corpo- rate entertainment options.
Golf
Some of the golfing world's greats descended upon Abu Dhabi in early January to compete in the sixth Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. Germany's Martin Kaymer made history by winning the competition for the third time in four years, finishing eight shots clear of nearest challenger Rory McIlroy. "What Martin Kaymer has achieved here is unprecedented and more than deserved," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. "When he first won here in 2008, we knew he had a special talent; when he won a second time last year, he had grown as a player and now, with his third Abu Dhabi title, he has confirmed his potential to join the all-time greats. "Martin is a remarkable young man and I know he really enjoys visiting us each January. He has more than earned the right to keep our fantastic Falcon Trophy." Kaymer's familiarity with the course stood the defending champion in good stead for the 2011 competion.
"I just know how to play this golf course really well; the success I've had shows that I play the course in the right way and that's what I did again," Kaymer said, adding that he planned to spend more time in Abu Dhabi ahead of the 2012 tournament. "I'm already thinking about next year - about coming a little bit earlier, to stay in the hotel in the Emirates Palace and enjoy Abu Dhabi, because I never really had time to see it all. So yeah, that's definitely a possibility." The Championship is central to Abu Dhabi's long-term golf tourism strategy which is being
empowered with the creation of new facilities on Saadiyat Island and Yas Island. Abu Dhabi Golf Course, managed by Troon Golf, offers hospitality packages for groups at the annual event; tables of 10 can been reserved at the Falcon Terrace, providing unobstructed views of the ninth and 18th
holes. Polo Tennis
Abu Dhabi staged the Mubadala World Tennis Championship from December 30, 2010 to January 1, 2011. World number one Rafael Nadal took top honours, beating Roger Federer 7-6, 7-6 in the final. Tennis fans also saw Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marcos Baghdatis in action at the 5,000-seat Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex, Zayed Sports City.
Corporate hospitality options combined tennis thrills with New Year celebrations. VIP seating provided first-class sightlines, while the first floor hospitality wing offered food and beverage and a hosted bar.
For a more sedate, and up-market, sporting experience, why not head for the elegant settings of the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club? Situated on the border of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the club boasts the best facilities in the region with a magnificent clubhouse and seven polo pitches. The Emirates Open Polo Championship season, held at the club, took place in early 2011. Highlights include The Ghantoot Golden Polo Cup, the President's Cup and The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charity Polo Cup. The tournaments are invitation-only for specta- tors but planners interested in organising an incentive event combining an evening of polo can contact the club direct. È
abudhabi 2011
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