Emaar breaks new ground on Moroccan links

DUBAI, Sept 10 - Emaar's presence in Morocco will break new ground with the world's number one property developer becoming the Title Sponsor of the prestigious Hassan II Golf Trophy to be held at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat from October 25 to 28 this year.

The 35th Hassan II Golf Trophy by Emaar, as the premier tournament, being promoted by 'golf in DUBAI,' will be known this year, marks the beginning of a new era in sporting exchanges between the two countries which enjoy deep-rooted bilateral ties.

Emaar made its name by introducing master planned lifestyle communities to the UAE and now are taking this winning formula to the rest of the world. In Morocco alone, the company's investments have reached Dh25.3 billion, covering six real estate projects across the country.

Since its inauguration in 1971 by His Majesty the late King Hassan II, the Hassan II Golf Trophy has dramatically grown in stature and popularity, thanks to the untiring efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, the president of the Hassan II Golf Trophy Society.

"We welcome Emaar's initiative in our country. Their backing of the event is fitting for a company which has already established its credentials while investing in Morocco," His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid said.

"Morocco has deep feelings of respect and regard for the people of the UAE. And I am confident that our association will provide a new impetus to the historic ties," said Prince Moulay Rachid, himself a keen golfer and the architect of the country's highly-successful junior golf development programme.

Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, commented: "Morocco is a significant part of Emaar's international expansion plans. Already, we have seen the great potential in the Moroccan market with our several development projects, and now our association with the Hassan II Golf Trophy will further enhance our growing ties with this great country.

"We have a long and rich association with golf, having created some of the finest golf courses and it's only natural that Emaar be associated with top-class events," he added.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of 'golf in DUBAI,' was equally excited about promoting the Hassan II Golf Trophy on behalf Emaar, one of their key partners.

"We want golf in the Arab world to flourish and gain in popularity among 'locals' and we had specially invited Morocco's Abdelhaq Sabi to this year's Dubai Desert Classic," he said, adding: "The intention was to encourage Arab talent on the global stage."

"We would love to see more golf enthusiasts coming to Dubai from Morocco to experience what we have in terms of golfing facilities and, indeed, we have a lot to offer," he added.

"If you look at the past winners of the tournament, it virtually reads like a Who's Who of Golf: Orville Moody, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Payne Stewart, Nick Price, Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie, Roger Chapman, David Toms, Santiago Luna of Spain and Scotland's Sam Torrance. And the list will grow in profile in years to come" Buamaim said

Besides Emaar, golf in DUBAI is also backed by Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the main partner and National Bank of Dubai, Jumeirah Hotels, Emirates airline, BMW, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Gulf News, Omega and CNN as partners in its drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.