December 18th, 2017

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon Tops DSC Annual Rankings

For the second year in succession, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has been awarded a five-star rating in the Dubai Sports Council Sports Events Ranking System for 2016-2017. The Marathon is one of just four annual sporting events to receive the honour.

Launched by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) in 2014, the ranking system is a pioneering initiative that seeks to incentivise and recognise excellence in the organisation of sports competitions and events in the Emirate, with each event being ranked on the quality of organisation and its impact in six categories: environmental, organisational, promotional, social, sporting and economic.

HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC) approved the results and praised the efforts of the DSC team.

“The success of this system confirms our ability to deliver unique achievements in various fields,” he said. “It is a pure homegrown idea launched by Dubai Sports Council to develop the sports sector in line with all the major developments we have witnessed in the UAE.

“Since its inception, the Council has worked to improve the sports sector in Dubai and reach higher international standards through the adoption of successful practices, creation of innovative programmes and launch of pioneering initiatives.

“The sports sector is an integral part of our society and economy, and we are always striving to achieve excellence and innovation in this sector, in accordance with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“We will continue to evaluate the work in this sector, recognise outstanding people in the field, enhance cooperation between public and private sectors, and motivate them to perform their national duty towards society in general and athletes in particular, and provide them with the means to succeed in achieving growth rates commensurate with the growth and development witnessed in various other sectors.”

The ranking system has seen an impressive growth in the three years since its inception. In the inaugural edition (2014-15), there were 172 organisers registered with the system and that figure has jumped to 418 for 2016-17.