Dubai is poised to host a landmark event that blends ultra‑luxury real‑estate development with the global sports agenda. The World Sports Summit (WSS) announced a strategic partnership with OMNIYAT, the Emirati developer renowned for its high‑end residential towers and mixed‑use projects. Signed on 22 December 2025, the agreement names OMNIYAT the “Official Partner” of the summit’s first edition, set for 29‑30 December at the iconic Madinat Jumeirah resort.
Why the World Sports Summit Matters for Dubai’s Sporting Vision
The summit is a flagship initiative of the Dubai Sports Council, championed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Under the banner “Uniting the World Through Sport,” the event reflects a broader government strategy that uses sport as a catalyst for social cohesion, health promotion and economic diversification.
Dubai’s rise as a premier global sports hub has been deliberate. From hosting the FIFA Club World Cup and the ATP Finals to securing the 2026 Asian Games, the city has built a portfolio of marquee events that attract athletes, administrators and corporate sponsors. The World Sports Summit is designed to be the intellectual counterpart to those spectacles, gathering decision‑makers, federation leaders, investors and athletes on a single platform to discuss the future trajectory of sport worldwide.
Strategic Objectives of the Summit
- Facilitate high‑impact investment in sport‑related media rights and technology.
- Promote urban regeneration projects that integrate sports facilities with luxury living.
- Advance grassroots participation across the Middle East, with a focus on youth and gender inclusion.
- Showcase Dubai’s capability to host large‑scale, cross‑sector collaborations.
OMNIYAT: From Skyline Icon to Sports Partner
Founded by Mahdi Amjad, OMNIYAT has become synonymous with opulent towers, luxury villas and boutique hotels that blend cutting‑edge design with Emirati cultural motifs. The developer’s portfolio, which includes the eponymous OMNIYAT towers, exemplifies Dubai’s ambition to produce world‑class brands from within.
By aligning with the World Sports Summit, OMNIYAT signals a strategic pivot beyond bricks and mortar. The partnership is presented as a convergence of two sectors—real‑estate development and sport—that share a common language of community building, lifestyle elevation and long‑term legacy creation.
Key Benefits for OMNIYAT
Through the partnership, OMNIYAT will:
- Gain exposure to an audience that values wellness, prestige and high‑performance living.
- Leverage summit media coverage to position upcoming projects as part of a “sport‑centric” urban vision.
- Explore opportunities for mixed‑use developments that incorporate training facilities, sports academies and health‑focused amenities.
The Signing Ceremony: Leaders Converge
The agreement was signed at the Dubai Sports Council headquarters in a ceremony attended by senior officials and business leaders:
- His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, opened the proceedings with remarks on the council’s commitment to a vibrant sports ecosystem.
- Mahdi Amjad, Founder and Chairman of OMNIYAT Group, highlighted the developer’s desire to contribute to Dubai’s social fabric through sport‑related initiatives.
- Eisa Sharif Al Marzooqi, Lead of the World Sports Summit, outlined the summit’s objectives and OMNIYAT’s role in execution.
- Peter Stephenson, Co‑Managing Director of OMNIYAT, affirmed the company’s dedication to the partnership’s shared values.
Each speaker delivered a harmonious message: the collaboration is not merely a sponsorship arrangement but a joint venture aimed at cultivating an integrated ecosystem where sport, urban innovation and lifestyle intersect.
“Our collaboration with OMNIYAT reflects a unified belief that sport can be a conduit for healthier communities and a stronger social fabric,” said Khalfan Belhoul.
“Through initiatives like this, we intend to forge a legacy that transcends construction projects, championing active living and celebrating excellence on a global stage,” added Mahdi Amjad.
Inaugural Summit Line‑up: A Who’s Who of Sport
The two‑day agenda promises more than 70 speakers drawn from the highest echelons of sport and related industries. Confirmed participants include:
- His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs.
- His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports.
- Nasser Al Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint‑Germain Football Club.
- Ronaldo Nazário, Brazilian football legend.
- Novak Djokovic and Ons Jabeur, tennis icons.
- Paolo Maldini, Italian football great.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov, former MMA world champion.
- Manny Pacquiao, boxing legend.
- Reggie Bush, former NFL star.
- Nick Santonastasso, author and motivational speaker.
Additional names are expected in the weeks leading up to the summit, promising a diverse mix of athletes, federation executives, venture capitalists and cultural influencers.
Program Highlights
- Panel discussions on monetisation of sport‑related media rights.
- Keynotes on integrating technology into athlete performance.
- Workshops exploring sport’s role in urban regeneration.
- Strategy sessions for nurturing grassroots participation across the Gulf.
Strategic Implications for Dubai and the Wider Region
Economic Diversification and Investment Magnetism
Pairing a luxury developer with a global sports forum reinforces Dubai’s narrative that its economy is not solely reliant on oil or tourism. The summit is expected to attract sovereign wealth funds, private‑equity houses and multinational corporations seeking to tap into the burgeoning sports market—a sector projected to exceed $600 billion in global revenues by 2030.
Brand Amplification for OMNIYAT
OMNIYAT will use the summit’s media platform to position its upcoming projects as integral components of a “sport‑centric” urban vision. This could open avenues for mixed‑use developments that blend residential luxury with elite training facilities, creating a new model for high‑value lifestyle districts.
Soft Power and Diplomatic Reach
Sport has long served as a conduit for diplomatic engagement. By hosting a summit that draws leaders from Bahrain, the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond, Dubai deepens its role as a facilitator of international dialogue. High‑profile athletes further humanise these exchanges, offering a shared cultural touchstone that transcends political boundaries.
Catalyst for Regional Sports Development
The summit’s emphasis on “uniting the world through sport” aligns with the UAE’s agenda to nurture home‑grown talent and elevate the region’s sporting standards. Workshops on youth development, infrastructure planning and gender inclusion could inform policy decisions across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, potentially sparking a new wave of regional leagues, academies and community programmes.
Innovation and Urban Integration
One recurring theme is the fusion of sport with contemporary urban life. Speakers are expected to explore how smart‑city technologies—such as IoT‑enabled stadiums, data‑driven fan experiences and sustainable construction practices—can be woven into Dubai’s existing fabric. OMNIYAT’s expertise in luxury development positions it to act as a testbed for these innovations, possibly piloting projects that blend high‑end living with elite sporting facilities.
Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for Future Collaboration
The inaugural World Sports Summit is more than a calendar event; it is a strategic blueprint for how Dubai intends to intertwine sport, commerce and culture in the years to come. The partnership with OMNIYAT illustrates a model where private‑sector excellence dovetails with public‑sector ambition, creating a synergistic environment that can accelerate both economic growth and social welfare.
Stakeholders will be watching closely as the summit approaches, measuring success by new investment pipelines, policy frameworks and community programmes that emerge from the two‑day dialogue. If the event delivers on its promises, it could set a precedent for other cities seeking to replicate Dubai’s formula: leveraging sport as a universal language to attract talent, capital and global attention.
Final Thoughts from the Summit’s Lead Architect
“The future of sport will be shaped not only on the field but also through the partnerships that bridge athletics with the broader currents of urban life, creativity and well‑being,” said Eisa Sharif Al Marzooqi, lead architect of the World Sports Summit. With OMNIYAT now firmly in the fold, Dubai appears poised to turn that vision into a concrete reality—one that may well redefine how the world thinks about the intersection of sport, luxury living and sustainable urban growth.
