Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid welcomes participants to Dubai International Sports Conference

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid is chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. Courtesy DSC

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, has welcomed participants ahead of the Dubai International Sports Conference on Sunday.

Under the theme "Football at the Top", this year's Conference takes place at Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa with guest speakers including Fifa president Gianni Infantino, Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and former Spain captain and 2010 World Cup winner Iker Casillas.

The Dubai Globe Soccer Awards will also be held Sunday evening.

Speaking ahead of the Conference Sheikh Mansoor said DSC were determined for the event to go ahead despite the ongoing coronavirus concerns. “Thanks to the vision, wisdom and guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE has been able to assure the world that life continues as normal in our country, safe and secure, and that our borders are open to everyone," he said.

“Presently, we are hosting hundreds of thousands of guests who have come to the UAE from different parts of the world to enjoy an unforgettable holiday. They are confident about their health and safety here, and looking forward to returning home with unforgettable memories of this place, and of the many iconic landmarks we have in the country, one of which is the Burj Khalifa, where we are hosting the Dubai International Sports Conference and Dubai Globe Soccer Awards this year."

He added: “The Conference has become a premier annual forum for discussions on football and a brainstorming platform for its development, where new initiatives are launched for the betterment of the game and its future.

“We cherish this role and will continue to play it and achieve more gains for the sport and for the happiness of the football family, including the fans.”

The Conference will begin at 6.15pm with a speech by Infantino, which will focus on the role football plays in promoting peace across the globe, as well as values like tolerance, inclusivity and equality, and in bringing diverse people together.

A short break will follow that session and before the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards begin, where Portugal international Ronaldo leads the fans' voting in both the Player of the Year and Player of the Century categories.