Sports Cities International, a subsidiary of the Bukhatir Group, which is one of the largest conglomerates in the Gulf, has announced its entry into Tunisia with the launch of its flagship 256-hectares project, Tunis Sports City.

The project, launched on July 10, in Tunis. The pioneering real estate development project will not just be a first class commercial and residential community, but will boast of world-class sporting venues that will attract many international sporting events to the country.

Located in the Lac de Tunis area in the northern suburbs of the Tunis city, Tunis Sports City will combine all the elements of luxury and entertainment for residents and visitors alike, integrating functionality with hospitality in an array of luxury residential towers, business centers, shopping malls, sports complexes, schools, hotels and sports clinics.

The crowning jewel of the Tunis Sports City will no doubt be the 18 hole Golf Course, certified by the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and designed by renowned golf course architect Peter Harradine, said a top Sports Cities official.

“We at Sport Cities International are delighted to enter this exciting new market, and are grateful to the Tunisian government for their confidence in us, lending their support and enabling our vision for Tunisia,” stated Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, chairman, Bukhatir Group.

'This is definitely a great time to invest in North Africa. The region has remained unaffected by the global crisis and continues to prosper, particularly in the areas of tourism and real estate. The Bukhatir Group is a highly diversified conglomerate and this project is certainly aligned with our overall vision,” Bukhatir added.

The first phase of the Tunis Sports City started its booking launch with “Cedar,”a premium residential golfing community, spread over 13 hectares.

The Cedar community consists of a vibrant mix of 8 high-rise apartment buildings, 73 standard and grand villas, as well as 4 blocks of low-rise luxury residences; all with spectacular golf course and garden views and well-planned infrastructure and community & recreational facilities.

Penthouse apartments feature private gardens and spacious swimming pools.

“On July 10, 2009 Cedar launched its first luxury tower, Burj Almasa, a G+15 residential building of approximately 310,000 sq ft. Within the first week of launch, there has been over 90% active bookings and continuing overwhelming response.” said Paul Crosetta, CEO- International, Sports Cities International.

The city’s Sports District will comprise state-of-the-art facilities built to the m1eticulous specifications of international sports bodies and will host academies for a wide range of sports including swimming, track and field, volleyball, and football, among others.

This will not only cultivate national sports heroes but also help the development of active and healthy youth in general through grass-roots programs that will encourage broad participation in all types of sports.

“Tunis Sports City, with its environmentally conscious design, innovation and architecture will surely set a benchmark for the real estate market in the region. Once fully developed, Tunis Sports City will become the new address for healthy living in Tunis by local Tunisians and foreigners alike,” said Crosetta.

To help promote an active and participating lifestyle and to ensure the sound development of world-class athletes, the Tunis Sports City has signed agreements with several international institutes and sports clubs such as Olympique de Marseille and the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) to oversee the sports academies.

“We have a vision of positively impacting individuals, communities and nations internationally by bringing them together through the activity of sport, cultivating economic opportunity and promoting human development”, he a