Abu Dhabi Sports Council launches new sport 26.01.2017: .. in Abu Dhabi Tourism Initiative All-star line-up for 2017 Abu Dhabi invitational at Yas Links

.. in Abu Dhabi Tourism Initiative



All-star line-up for 2017 Abu Dhabi invitational at Yas Links




Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) has announced a world-class line-up for the Abu Dhabi Invitational (ADI) as the 2017 edition embraces a new format this weekend.




A team of Professional Golfers, captained by Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley, will take on a Celebrity All-Stars from the world of sport and entertainment, led by former Manchester United hero Peter Schmeichel.



The tournament, which will be held at Yas Links on Sunday January 29, will see 20 professionals and 20 celebrities each paired with a VIP guest as the teams compete against each other in a Ryder Cup Fourball format. All competitors will play from the back tees with the professionals playing off a +5 handicap.



Among the stars lining up for Schmeichel’s team are football legends Ruud Gullit, Dwight Yorke and Roberto Di Matteo, cricket heroes James Anderson, Brian Lara and Jacques Kallis and rugby union world cup winners Mike Tindall and David Campese. Pop legend Ronan Keating is also appearing for the All-Stars*.



Paul McGinley’s team includes Ryder Cup stars Thomas Pieters and Matt Fitzpatrick as well as Ahmed Al Musharrekh, the first Emirati golfer to turn professional, and Ladies European Tour stars Amy Boulden and Kelsey MacDonald.



Places will also be allocated by invitations from ADSC and from the European Tour to players missing the cut at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters this weekend.



McGinley said: “I am honoured to be captaining the Golfers’ Team at this year’s Abu Dhabi Invitational. I have enjoyed playing Yas Links on many occasions and look forward to being out there again for what promises to be another wonderful occasion. I hope we can raise a lot of money for charity over the weekend as well as having a huge amount of fun.”



Schmeichel said: “With the line-up we have, I know we can give the Pros a serious challenge. It is a prestigious event at a wonderful course and I’m looking forward to it enormously. I know we will have a lot of fun and raise important funds for charity too.”



This year’s event will comprise an Amateur Championship on Saturday 28 January with the invited celebrities and sponsor and stakeholder guests, before the main Invitational the following day.


ADSC is also using the occasion to launch a new umbrella marketing initiative called ‘Sport in Abu Dhabi’. This campaign will showcase and promote the emirate’s central role in the world’s sporting landscape.



 Abu Dhabi already has a strong reputation as a centre of excellence for world-class sports events, winter training and sports tourism and this weekend’s event at Yas Links will further highlight that.



ADSC’s mission is to offer an environment which highlights the importance of sport in all communities and to implement the best systems to promote competition at all levels, inspiring the champions of the future and encouraging all in the emirate to take an interest in sport and making a healthy lifestyle for themselves.



In line with the UAE’s Year of Giving, the event will be raising funds for two local cancer charities: RAHMA (the Cancer Patient Care Society) and Friends of Cancer Patients.



His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of ADSC, said: “We are thrilled to see such an array of sporting talent and an exciting new format in play for this year’s ADI.



 We’re also very pleased to be back at Yas Links; it’s the best course in the region and one of the best golf venues in the world. With 2017 being the Year of Giving in the UAE we are also very keen to raise funds for the two cancer charities. It will be an unforgettable event.”



Howie Roberts, General Manager of Yas Links, said. “We are honoured to host these legends of sport and great professionals at Yas Links. This is the fifth time we have hosted the Abu Dhabi Invitational and it is great to see such an innovative and charitable format.”




*Abu Dhabi Invitational Celebrity All-Stars Team Line-Up



James Anderson, Liam Brady, Schalk Brits, David Campese, Ronald de Boer, Roberto Di Matteo, Ruud Gullit, Jacques Kallis, Ronan Keating, Brian Lara, Pablo Mac Donough, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Hasan Salihamidzic, Peter Schmeichel (capt), Roland Schoeman, Sandrine Testud, Mike Tindall, Ian Walker, Dwight Yorke





About Abu Dhabi Sports Council



Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) was established in 2006 by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.



ADSC is aligned to the emirate’s leadership vision to develop sport and youth activities. The Council promotes an effective, emirate-wide sports calendar that stimulates the desire to participate in quality sports among all Abu Dhabi residents and helps the talented and motivated reach their sporting potential.



The Council also hosts and supports the staging of international world-class sporting events. These include: the annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship; the Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; the ITU World Triathlon Series;



 both the Abu Dhabi and Gary Player Invitationals; the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final; the Red Bull Air Race; the Mubadala World Tennis Championship; the 2017 and 2018 FIFA Club World Cups; the 2019 AFC Asian Cup UAE and the UCI WorldTour event, The Abu Dhabi Tour.



We at ADSC firmly believe that sporting events deliver a host of benefits for the emirate and its residents.



These span improved health and wellness, the building of community spirit, the discovering of local talent and the delivery of international exposure of the emirate as a world-class sporting events hub.             



Whether it is land, sea or air, we have sport covered.



About Yas Island

Yas Island, the region’s ultimate leisure destination is a playground for fun, adventure, entertainment and thrill-seeking action!



Experience world class attractions and events on Yas Island - including Ferrari World theme park, year-round performances by award-winning international artists and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.



Along with seven hotels, a mall, waterpark, concert arena, marina, beach, links golf course and more than 100 café and restaurant options, Yas Island offers shopping, dining, entertainment and more. For business events including meetings, incentives conferences and exhibitions, Yas Island offers a wide range of venue options and in-house event management services.




Getty Images -