THE 10TH AL HABTOOR TENNIS CHALLENGE
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Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor
Chairman, Al Habtoor Group |
Dear Tennis Friends
It is with great pleasure, fond memories and an exciting vision for the future that I all of you to the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa on the 10th edition of the pioneering women’s tennis event in the Gulf region and the Middle East.
It is a very proud moment for all of us here as this tournament turns 10 years old. So much has changed both in our city, our country and in the tennis world over the past decade – and we are thrilled that we have been able to welcome you here each year, as the tournament grows in popularity and prestige.
The past decade has brought resounding truth to our slogan “Bringing to Dubai today the stars of tomorrow”. As I look at the current top rankings for women’s tennis, I notice that 57 of the current top 100 players have played at our tournament, including the current number 1 player in the world, Jelena Jankovic.
As much as the competition is thrilling for the players and their families, we Tennis lovers enjoy every minute of it throughout it’s history and we are very proud that our tournament was the first ever professional event in this area that aims to develop and promote women tennis in the area and helping young talented players to peruse their career in this wonderful sport. The future is very bright for women’s tennis in the region, and we feel honored to have been a part of the history and look forward to being a part of its future.
Last year, the quality of the tennis throughout the tournament gave spectators some thrilling matches and heart stopping moments. In fact, the whole tournament was a showcase of some of the world’s finest young women players and I have many reasons to believe that this year’s tournament will also bring to Dubai the stars of tomorrow.
I would like to thank His Highness Shiekh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Minister of Finance and Industry for his continued patronage. Much appreciation goes to our sponsors for their ever lasting commitment with this event – your support over the past 10 years has been a critical factor in the success of the tournament. And last but not least, I would like to extend my appreciation to Tennis Emirates and the ITF for their assistance and cooperation.
This leaves only the task of thanking all those wonderful people from within the Al Habtoor Group who have to work very hard every year to make this event such a success, and of course, all the volunteers who give so much of their time to the tournament as line judges, officials and ball persons.
Finally I would like to thank all top professional players and to the young talented players who have accepted our invitation and are playing this year and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to Dubai in the very near future.
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PATRONAGE
Since inception, the AHTC is blessed with the kind support and patronage of H.H. Sh. Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance and Industry, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
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A STORY OF SUCCESS
The Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge is one of Dubai’s great sporting success stories. Now in its 9th Year, this Top International Tennis Federation Tournament promises a superb display of Professional Women’s Tennis over 9 action packed days.
Over the years the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge has acted as a catalyst for the world’s finest young women’s players – no less than 44 previous players are now in the top 100 world ranking; 3 of those are in top 20 this year! And with total prize money this year worth of US $ 75,000 the tournament will again showcase some of the world’s most exciting women’s players – the superstars of tomorrow. This is an event that absolutely must not be missed…!
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THE 9TH AL HABTOOR TENNIS CHALLENGE - AT A GLANCE
| Dates |
Main Draw 10 – 15 Dec. 2007
Qualifying rounds 8 & 10 Dec. |
| Patronage |
H. H. Sh. Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance & Industry |
| Profile |
1 of the International Tennis Federation, Sanctioned Women’s’ tournaments in the World with a Prize Money of US $75,000 |
| Players |
70 + players from all over the world all with International WTA world ranking.
8 – 10 Players expected to be from the top 100 world ranked players. |
| TV Coverage |
Live coverage by Dubai TV and EDTV |
| Radio Coverage |
Special coverage and match reports, daily throughout the Tournament on morning and evening drive time shows, and a quiz night for tournament related questions. |
| Media Coverage |
10 daily newspapers (5 Arabic + 5 English) with editorials and photographs. |
| Internet |
Dedicated site for the tournament with up to date results throughout the event |
| Staff |
31 Organisers and administration staff.
42 Umpires and Officials.
50 Ball persons.
36 TV crew men.
21 Press reporters and photographer.
+ Various staff of the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa. |
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THE 8TH AHTC 2006 AN ULTIMATE SUCCESS
Some Facts … We are proud to inform you with :-
- The Tournament Web site www.dubaitennis.com attracted 713,733 hits and 18,679 pages were viewed over the seven days of the event.
- Press Cuttings from the 10 daily newspapers covered a notice board of 18 x 4 ft.
 - 32 Hours of live coverage in Dubai TV and EDTV.
- Total attendance of aprox. 5,000 achieved throughout the week.
- 5 Media Awards were given out each with a valuable cash prize for Best Newspaper Coverage, Best sport editorial (x2), best Feature story (x2), and Best Published Photograph.
- Conducted the best and richest FREE raffle draw in Dubai. 10,000 tickets were distributed free for that included 7 annual and 7 bi-monthly family memberships at the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, 42 VIP privilege cards and 56 sports bags with full sport kit.
- Holding two big press conferences and 2 prize presentations made headlines in the regional press.
- Mailed out invitations to 7,450 clients of the Tournament organiser.
- Distributed invitations to all students of 5 leading schools in Jumairah.
- The Tournament Organisers held ‘A kids days’ in association with the UAE Tennis Association, at which 113 kids between the ages of 5 – 9 were introduced to the game of Tennis.
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