(CNN) — After the collapse of Egypts early removal from the Africa Cup of Nations the summertime, Mohamed Salah chose a rest in Dubai to recover.
The dominating African footballer of the year sampled gourmet cuisine in five star restaurants, relaxed on beaches, also kept himself in shape with some light training in the Nad al Sheba (NAS) sports complicated.
This wasnt the first trip to the complex, nor even his first this year of Salah. His first Liverpool team booked to get a coaching camp as did Premier League rivals Manchester United – .
Arsenal were guests in March, adding their names to a list that includes Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan. Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo fell over his winter holidays.
The appeal isnt confined to footballers.
World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic introduced at NAS in 2016 for a selfie using Dubais Crown Prince.
In the Australian cricket team to UFC winner Khabib Nurmagomedovthe cream of sporting dolls have been flocking to the site.
But why?
Aiming to be the finest
The NAS complicated, located close by the worlds priciest horse racecoursethat was created with the aspiration to become one of the worlds greatest.
We aim to be recognized as an elite destination, says NAS manager of sport Robert Wadsworth.
Feedback from star clients – he chooses to not name names – suggests the ceremony iscomparable and in some instances better than the facilities theyre utilized to.
Some clients have been happy to volunteer glowing reviews, such as Djokovic, who also wrote a thank you notice on Instagramfor allowing me to train in the top sports center on earth.
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The site comprises a range of indoor and outdoor capabilities. There are just two FIFA-standard soccer pitches and an athletics track, as well as indoor arenas for badminton, volleyball, futsal (similar to five-a-side soccer ) and martial arts.
The complex also includes cryotherapy chambers that aid recovery after exercise, swimming and hydrotherapy tools, centers for simulating different altitudes, in addition to a sports science laboratory and medical care groups.
The Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex is an evolving project, increasing by the week, month and year, says Nasser Aman Al Rahma, assistant secretary general of Dubai Sports Council (DSC).
Tailored usage
Different clients find various applications for the complex.
At the main its for training crews both pre-season or mid-season, and injury rehab and recovery, says Wadsworth.
We have a plethora of soccer teams in the European leagues who will train from January to March once (many) leagues have winter breaks. We sponsor groups from Asia from November to February when they are doing pre-season work
The site also hosts athletes and teams as they prepare for tournaments that are certain, Wadsworth adds. Cricket Australia finished their pre-tour testing at NAS before flying into the UK for its World Cup and also The Ashes.
Beyond the role, Wadsworth believes privacy is a portion of the allure for high-profile people. NAS is a private center that takes pride in safeguarding against interruptions from public or the media.
This Dubai is used to catering to the wealthy and famous enables a level of anonymity for clients on their downtime, who will enjoy a dinner or visit landmarks with no swarmed by sports lovers.
Commercial Price
Star athletes at the NAS complexs regular presence may bring advantages for both hosts and traffic.
Several countries in the Gulf area are using hot weather training camps as part of their sport development plans, states Professor Simon Chadwick, a sports company expert in the University of Salford, in the UK.
They have positioned themselves as training and health destinations with the intent of drawing athletes and teams, increasing awareness of the facilities and, hence, driving long-term business enterprise.
For boosting tourism and awareness A 2015 Deloitte report also noted the potential advantages.
The usage of Dubai as a place for warm weather training in the wintertime is proving ever more popular for soccer teams, the report says. If promoted properly Dubai can in time be thego-to place for a significant number of nightclubs, with resulting opportunities for instruction (and) exhibition games.
Volume involvement events also have considerable potential in bringing additional sports tourists.
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Chadwick thinks there are also benefits for visiting sportspeople past their physical fitness.
By training in the Gulf athletes and teams may raise their profiles throughout the area, construct fan engagement, and establish potentially profitable relationships with commercial partners, he says.
The presence of commercial factors in trips to Dubai has been emphasized by people manager of soccer team Hamburg SV, such as Bernd Wehmeyer, who said the clubs property by Emirates Airline has been a factor in the choice of destination.
Wider ambitions
Connections with sports stars evolution is taking place to develop sporting infrastructure and involvement .
The 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena which will host soccer, basketball and ice hockey was lately opened by the Emirate. Dubai upgraded facilities like the Al Maktoum Stadium for the 2019 Asian Cup.
There are quite a few other sports projects under debate, says Aman Al Rahma, listing plans for new bicycle paths and golf courses in town.
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The DSC is also aiming to increase involvement across all demographics, says Aman Al Rahma, with the aim of earning Dubaiamong the most physically active places on the planet.
This is the reason why, if you have a look at Dubais annual sports calendar, then you will get lots of neighborhood sports events together with the star-studded elite athletic extravaganzas, he says.
Having procured an influx of talent, Dubai can also be seeking to cultivate its own.