Dubai will host two matches of the final of the Philippine Basketball League, in addition to organizing an exhibition match in which the international star and Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will participate with his team, coinciding with the country’s celebrations of the 53rd Federation Day, which will be held from December 1 to 3 in the Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall in Al-Nasr Club.
This was announced by the Dubai Sports Council in a press conference held at its headquarters, in the presence of its Secretary-General Saeed Hareb, the Assistant Secretary-General of the Council, Nasser Aman Al Rahma, as well as international boxer Manny Pacquiao.
Hareb said: “We are pleased to welcome again our dear and distinguished guest, the international star and boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao, who always visits us with love and interest, and we are pleased to witness his presence again at the Dubai Sports Council as a basketball player, which adds a new dimension to his distinguished sporting legacy. We are also pleased that the Federation chose Philippine Basketball Association Dubai to host two prominent matches of the Philippine Basketball League, and this selection once again confirms Dubai’s position as a global sports capital, and a preferred destination for major sporting events in general, and for basketball. Especially, as Dubai is currently hosting the Dubai Team’s competitions within the European Basketball League, which confirms the great work that is being done to make Dubai at the heart of global sports, and a preferred global destination for sports.”
Hareb added: “Holding an exhibition match with the participation of international star Manny Pacquiao is not just a sporting event, but rather a message that reflects the great diversity of sporting events in Dubai, and the harmony of different communities in its societal fabric. It also comes within the framework of Dubai’s commitment to organizing innovative sporting events that combine excitement and professionalism. It contributes significantly to supporting the sports tourism sector, which is witnessing continuous growth. This event provides an exceptional opportunity for the large Filipino community in the country, whose number exceeds 680 thousand people, including more than 450,000 in Dubai, to connect with their sporting heritage and follow one of the most prominent sports stars in the world.”
Manny Pacquiao, who holds 10 world titles and is known as the “Boxer of the Century,” said: “I am happy to be here and to organize this event, and I thank the Dubai Sports Council and everyone who contributed to the organization and the participating teams. Dubai has become an international center for investment and sports, and it is now my second home thanks to the many privileges it possesses. This tournament will be just the beginning, as I will work to organize many events here in Dubai, and I will fight next year with one of the world champions, whose name will be announced later. There will be fruitful cooperation with the Dubai Sports Council on many occasions during the next phase, as I am currently looking into opening a sports academy in Dubai that will specialize in boxing, and that it will be expanded in the future to include various sports.”
Hareb presented the book of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, “Being the First” – which tells the story of a leader who transformed Dubai into a global city – to the international star.
Pacquiao participates in an exhibition match
The first match of the finals of the Philippine Professional Basketball League will be held at 6:00 tomorrow evening in the Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall in Al Nasr Club, where the northern champions, Pampanga Giant Lantern, will face the southern champions, Quezon Huskers, with the second match being held at 6:00. :00 pm next Tuesday. The exhibition match will be held the day after tomorrow, Monday, between Pacquiao’s team and Chris Fade’s media team, at 7:00 pm.
Saeed Hareb:
. The Filipino community in the country exceeds 680,000 people.
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