Dubai, UAE (Feb 2, 2024) –
Dubai Sports Council Welcomes Mr. Avram Glazer and “Desert
Vipers” Team for a Sustainable Sports Future
His Excellency Saeed Hareb, the Secretary General of Dubai
Sports Council, warmly welcomed Mr. Avram Glazer and the
Desert Vipers team, along with esteemed attendees, to Dubai
Sports Council headquarters today.
In a collaborative effort to enhance sustainability in sports, Dubai
Sports Council and the “Desert Vipers” team are joining forces,
aligning with the nation’s commitment to a rational government
approach and the strategic plan for the sports sector 2024-2033.
HE Saeed Hareb said: “An agreement has been reached to unify
efforts, focusing on integrating sustainability applications in sports
stadiums and tournaments. This collaboration will encompass
awareness campaigns and practical applications to make events
and sports more sustainable and environmentally friendly.”
While addressing the media, he also said: “Dubai has already set
a precedent by organizing international events, such as the
European Golf Tour Championship – Road to Dubai and the SAIL
GP race, that adhere to sustainability standards. Today, we
proudly announce the addition of new cricket tournaments in
cooperation with “Desert Vipers.”
Looking ahead, our commitment extends to expanding this
initiative to include various sports, tournaments, and facilities. Our
goal is to spread the practice of sports and elevate its societal
status, promoting health and happiness for everyone.”
Dubai Sports Council remains steadfast in its dedication to
fostering an effective contribution of sports towards a green
future. By doing so, we aim to create a world where all can enjoy
a healthy and happy life for ourselves and for future generations.
The Desert Vipers, a cricket team that plays in the UAE’s own
Twenty20 competition, the DP World ILT20, has joined forces with
Dubai Sports Council, the official body responsible for the
development of the sports sector in the Emirate.
In a ground-breaking partnership, Dubai Sports Council has
become the Lead Partner in the Desert Vipers’ Sustainability
Programme.
Dubai Sports Council will endorse the Vipers’ Sustainability Match
at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday 3 February.
And it will be the key contributor to a Sustainability in Sport
Summit in Dubai in late 2024 in the presence of Desert Vipers
owner Mr Avram Glazer.
Dubai Sports Council will also play a key role in supporting the
Desert Vipers’ schools programme which is introducing the sport
of cricket and the issue of sustainability into Arab and
international schools across the Emirate of Dubai in association
with Sports Spirit Events LLC.
Commenting on the partnership between the Desert Vipers and
the Dubai Sports Council, Desert Vipers owner Mr Avram Glazer
said: “This is a proud day, a landmark day for the Desert Vipers,
to join with the Dubai Sports Council in addressing the
fundamentally important opportunity to promote sustainability in
sport.
“We are thankful for the far-sighted approach of the Dubai Sports
Council in joining with us to lead the way in this matter. Together
we will set the path for others to follow.”
CEO of the Desert Vipers, Mr Philip Oliver, said: “Our partnership
is a perfect coming together of two organisations with shared
objectives – namely, the fast-forwarding of sustainability in sport
in Dubai and, more broadly, the UAE, and contributing to the
future of sports movements worldwide.
“Both the Desert Vipers and the Dubai Sports Council are aware
that we are in a position to influence behaviour that will help
safeguard the environment and allow sport to be played, watched
and enjoyed for now and for the future.
“By acting together, we will create meaningful change for
sustainability in sport in Dubai and the UAE.
“I would like to extend our sincere thanks to our local partner,
Sports Spirit Events LLC, for facilitating this exciting partnership.”
The synergy between the Desert Vipers and Dubai Sports Council
means the partnership in sustainability makes perfect sense for
both organisations.
Saif Mohammed, Founder and Chairman of Sports Spirit Events
(LLC), expresses immense pride in being part of partnership
between Dubai Sports Council and Desert Vipers to champion
sustainability in sports. Sports Spirit Events is honored to facilitate
this collaborative effort, serving as the official representative of
Desert Vipers in the UAE. “Together, we aim to drive positive
change and set a precedent for environmentally conscious
practices in the realm of sports through different community
engagement and outreach initiatives.”
The Desert Vipers have eschewed the use of single-use plastic
water bottles from their dressing room and have replaced them
with reusable bottles filled with locally sourced water while the
Dubai Government has banned single-use plastic bags.
The Vipers have also undertaken an extensive education
programme across schools in the Emirate, in keeping with DSC’s
mandate to nurture talent.
And with the Desert Vipers becoming the first Dubai-based sports
organisation to sign up to the United Nations Sports for Climate
Action framework, endorsement from Dubai Sports Council
mirrors the body’s desire to support creativity and reward
excellence and innovation.
The partnership with the Dubai Sports Council will only serve to
enhance and to shine a brighter light on activities the Vipers are
undertaking.
That includes its Sustainability Match at the Dubai International
Stadium on Saturday 3 February which will feature plastic bottle
recycling at the venue for first time.
The match, against the Gulf Giants, a repeat of the final match of
the inaugural tournament in 2023, will also feature a ‘fan carnival’,
including sustainability-themed fan engagement and hospitality
catering with reduced carbon emissions in mind.
And the match will take place in the presence of sustainability
departments of more than 80 UAE businesses.
The coupling of Dubai Sports Council and the Desert Vipers is
also intended to cut across all sports, not only cricket, in raising
awareness of the need for sustainability.
Later in 2024 under the auspices of this partnership, the first
Sustainability in Sport Summit and Awards Dinner will be held
with Mr Avram Glazer in attendance, details of which will be
announced in due course.
Further details of Dubai Sports Council can be found here.
-Ends-
About the Desert Vipers: The Desert Vipers are a cricket team
that plays in the DP World ILT20, a six-team men’s franchise
tournament that takes place annually in the United Arab Emirates.
The Desert Vipers finished as runners-up in the inaugural edition,
in January and February 2023, with a squad that included
England batter Alex Hales, the tournament’s top run-scorer and a
player who made the first hundred in ILT20 history, and Sri Lanka
spin bowler Wanindu Hasaranga, the leading wicket-taker in two
editions of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, in 2021 and 2022.
The Desert Vipers squad for the second season of the
tournament includes Pakistan trio Shaheen Shah Afridi, the
country’s newly appointed Twenty20 International men’s captain,
Shadab Khan and Azam Khan.
