Some of the region’s and world’s leading sports and sponsorship figureheads will re-convene in Abu Dhabi tomorrow (January 19) for the highly anticipated return of the Arabian Sport and Sponsorship Forum.

Held under the patronage of his Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed al Nahyan, the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the forum will be held at Yas Marina Circuit and further illustrates the Island’s position as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment destinations.

The forum will bring together pioneering leaders in sport, business and entertainment from around the world to further champion excellence within the MENA region.

Jamie Cunningham, CEO of organiser Professional Sport Group, commented: “We would like to thank his Highness and our Platinum Sponsor Abu Dhabi Sports Council for their vision in hosting the Forum. Aside from the quality of our speakers, we are also delighted that Professor Bettina Cornwell from the University of Oregon has joined us and will be working on our Future Vision initiative to inspire the next generation of Arabic sports leaders. She is visiting the American University in the Emirates and the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi today as well as hosting a YouTube session for the region’s undergraduates on sponsorship.”

The forum will also see a world class panel of regional and international speakers including Mohamed Khalfan Al Romaithi, executive committee Asian Football Confederation; Aref Hamad Al Awani, general secretary Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour; Giles Morgan, the global head of sponsorship & events for HSBC; Simon Clegg, COO Baku 2015; and Mushtaq Al Waeli of the Josoor Institute in Doha.

Delegates have been confirmed from may leading brands, federations, agencies and universities including Abu Dhabi Media Company, Al Ain Sports Club, Al Fahim, ADNIC, Bahrein Olympic Committee, Daman, Dubai Sports Council, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Etisalat, Mubadala, NYU University, Red Bull and the UAE National Olympic Committee.

Other esteemed panelists who will address the audience include Shaima Al Zarouni, CEO of Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, who oversaw success of the UAE National Sports Day project in November 2015; Fahad Al Shamsi, the head of UAE Jiu Jitsu and Patrick Pierce, the vice president of Etihad Airways. The final morning session is hosted by Steve Nuttall, the head of Google YouTube EMEA for sport. – TradeArabia News Service