Students from one of the world’s leading research and teaching institutions, Stanford Graduate School of Business in the United States, were today provided with an insight into one of Dubai’s most ambitious projects – Dubai Sports City.

The MBA graduate students are on a fact-finding visit to Dubai to learn more about the ambitions and goals of the United Arab Emirates, and were enthusiastic about the opportunity to see the progress being made on the world’s first city dedicated to sport.

As part of the tour, the students are looking to better understand the economic and social benefits the project will bring both regionally and internationally. They were also able to meet two of the men tasked with developing and managing Dubai Sports City: Khalid Abdulrahim Mohammed Al Zarooni, President, and U. Balasubramaniam, Chief Executive Officer.

The delegation, which numbered over 30 business graduates, took an escorted tour of the Dubai Sports City site, which is now entering a crucial phase of its development.

“Dubai Sports City has captured the world’s attention, and we’re keen to encourage people – particularly students and young people – to learn more about our vision and goals,” said U. Balasubramaniam, CEO, Dubai Sports City.

Stanford Graduate School of Business offers a Study Trip Program as part of its mission to provide a platform for the development of global business leaders. Student visitors came to Dubai Sports City as part of a broader attempt to make sense of the changing and dynamic economic climate in the Middle East

Among the Dubai Sports City attractions viewed by the delegation was the spectacular 25,000-seat cricket stadium, currently rising from the desert sands and forming one of the major landmarks of the Emirates Road.

According to visit organizer Hani Bou Nasr, MBA Candidate, Class of 2008, the overall concept of Dubai Sports City is “extremely exciting”.

“This takes sports business development and marketing to a whole new level, without once losing sight of the importance of sports and healthy living,” he declared.

The first phase of Dubai Sports City is due for completion in 2008.