Dubai is the region's sporting capital and the facilities available in the emirate are among the best in the world.

Throughout the cooler months, between September to March, Dubai is host to some of the world's most prestigious sporting events. Events such as the Rugby Sevens, the Desert Classic Golf Tournament, the Tennis Open and Dubai World Cup are televised around the world and bring the finest participants of their respective sports to Dubai's shores.

The most glamorous and possibly the best-attended sporting event in Dubai is the world's richest horse race, the Emirates World Series Dubai World Cup, which takes place on March 25, 2006 at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. The total prize fund for the mile-and-a-quarter Group One race, for horses four years old and above, is US$6 million, while the winner gets US$3.6 million.

The program features the UAE Derby, the most valuable derby ever run, and the Dubai Kahayla Classic offering pure bred Arabians their most precious purse ever. The Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Golden Shaheen and Godolphin Mile will complete the line-up of events.

A recent announcement by the Dubai Racing Club will now allow spectators at the world's richest horse race, Dubai World Cup 2006, to also witness the world's two richest turf races, namely the Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Sheema Classic (both Group I) for which the prize money has been raised to a staggering US$5 million each.

This development will have a major impact on owners and trainers around the world. The races also eclipse the Japan Cup, which at US$4.5million was previously the richest turf race. With the increase in prize money, the total purse for the seven-event Dubai World Cup meeting has been boosted to US$21.25 million.

The centre of the social scene at Dubai World Cup is the International Village, where access is by ticket only. The Village houses a number of food and beverage outlets, exhibition stands, live entertainment and giant screens providing race coverage to ensure guests dont miss a second of the excitement. More than 100 screens are operational throughout the stands and enclosures.

Several hospitality packages are available that have been designed to accommodate all requirements and budgets, whether entertaining for business or pleasure. Corporate boxes, chalets, marquees, terraces and pavilions are available in addition to general grandstand seating.

Although gambling is not permitted in the UAE, race goers are invited to participate in the complimentary 'Pick Seven' and forecast competitions to win some very valuable prizes. A 'Fashions on the Field' competition for the best-dressed lady also adds some excitement with the winner and two runners-up obtaining valuable prizes.

Another event that draws in capacity crowds is the Dubai Rugby Sevens Tournament where sixteen international rugby teams battle it out in the first round of the IRB Sevens World Series. The 2005 event is scheduled to take place November 30 – December 2.

The venue of the Emirates Airline sponsored tournament, The Dubai Exiles Rugby Club, has undergone a massive renovation to accommodate over 20,000 spectators, with the pitch being rotated 90 degrees to enable clearer viewing of the matches.

The Dubai Rugby Sevens has taken place in Dubai for 34 consecutive years and is the longest established international sporting event in the UAE. In total, more than 150 teams and 1,500 players are expected to participate.

The main event, the Emirates International Trophy, has attracted 16 of the world's best rugby playing nations in the past, in addition to the 32 Middle East-based club sides. A social tournament with veterans, masters, ladies, youth and mini-rugby completes the sporting spectacle. This is followed by an evening of partying at the Rugby Rock where live bands perform and spectators and players enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere until the early hours.

Entering its 14th year, the Dubai Tennis Open with its US$1 million prize money attracts top international male and female players to the emirate, and the 2006 tournament will be held from February 27 to March 5 at the Tennis Stadium. The championships include the men's ATP International Series Gold Tour and WTA Tour Dubai Duty Free Women's Open. There will be singles as well as doubles competitions.

Everyone who plays at the Dubai Tennis Championships have nothing but praise for the tournament which continues to go from strength to strength, attracting even more of the biggest names in tennis to the UAE.

Jennifer Capriati said her experience of Dubai was like being in an Aladdin movie, and Martina Navratilova was taken by surprise at the melting pot of cultures. Fabrice Santoro said he could live in Dubai, and Tim Henman said he felt safer than he does in London.

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, UAE.

The European PGA Tour's annual Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament was established in 1989 and is due to be held for the 17th year, from February 2-5, 2006. The event will see top golfers from around the world gather at the Emirates Golf Club to vie for one of the most lucrative prize purses in the game.

Emirates Golf Club, the event has also been hosted at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in the past. The courses themselves and the prize purse is a major draw for the players, as is the relaxed and respectful atmosphere of the tournament where spectators are allowed far closer to participants than is typical at such events.

Among the players who have competed at the event in the past are Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Thomas Bjorn, Colin Montgomerie, Fred Couples and Jose Marie Olazabal.

Sailing enthusiasts will gather at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), January 22-29, for the Dubai International Sailing Week Regatta 2006. The event is organised by DIMC in cooperation with the UAE Marine Sports Federation and is open to Laser class boats and Optimists.

DIMC is also the venue for offshore championship powerboat racing. With a long coastline and pristine waters, Dubai is the perfect location for the sport and the government of Dubai has promoted this with the creation of its Victory Team in 1989- currently the world's most successful powerboating team.

Dubai hosts a stage of the UIM Class 1 World Offshore Championship with the Dubai Grand Prix each year. The competition features unrelenting drama and excitement with contestants from 11 countries.

Boat racing has cultural and historical significance in Dubai with its roots in dhow (traditional wooden trading vessels) racing, which still takes place today, especially on government holidays such as the UAE National Day on December 2.

Dhow sailing has become as important to the nationals as the high profile international events have become to visitors and expatriates. The dhow sailing races are without a doubt the most spectacular and gracious events on the watersports calendar. Following a carefully planned schedule of races from September through to May, the dhow-racing season has grown steadily in recent years and now involves a greater number of participants than ever before.

The dhows are fashioned in exactly the same way as those used by the pearl sailors of yesteryear with the races divided into two classes of 43 feet and 60 feet. The events have become a family affair over the years and each boat must have a crew of at least 10, and it is not uncommon for up to four generations from the same family to be involved. Kitesurfing is one of Dubai's fastest growing sports and The Dubai Kite Club, based at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) and affiliated to the UAE Marine Sports Federation, hosts several major competitions during the year.

Not to be missed during a visit to Dubai is camel racing. The 2005/6 season at Nad Al Sheba camel race track takes place from October and runs every Thursday and Friday up until April.

Camel races provide visitors with a unique opportunity to observe traditionally dressed locals in harmony with their surroundings. Apart from the serious aspect of competing, the occasion is a social one where many camel riders meet with friends. At a time when the UAE is developing into a modern, efficient country, there are relatively few opportunities to experience such valued glimpses of the past.

As a coastal city, Dubai has few, if any, hills or inclines. This is fantastic for long distance runners and the Dubai Marathon has been a resounding success with both local and international participants.

The internationally accredited marathon attracts local and international competitors and stretches over 42.2 kilometres, with shorter routes included for less able participants. The 10-kilometre road race and the three-kilometre '‘fun-run' are popular with visitors who enjoy the unusual sight of desert landscapes as they run.

The marathon, which starts and finishes at the Dubai World Trade Centre, follows a clockwise route through the city and takes in various sites and landmarks such as the Shindagha Tunnel, the Gold Souk, the Creek and Al Garhoud Bridge.