Last year the Dubai winner Michael Mmoh, won the grand finals in London. Dubai has now begun its attempt to repeat the success in 2009.

The 2009 event took place at the Aviation club on 4th December and will then move on to the grand finals 11th December at the Grand Hyatt – Dubai. The governing body of UK tennis the Lawn Tennis Association hosted the 2008 triangular finals and will be doing so again for 2009-10.

The UK event included a clinic by Elena Dementieva during Wimbledon.
Email grandprix@willtowin.co.uk for details or drop in at the Aviation club tennis office.

This 14 and under event for juniors new to competition is unique to tennis and brings together the tennis communities of London – Dubai and New York and for 2009 Madrid
The winners of the Dubai and New York events – one boy and 1 girl from each were flown to London to participate in grand finals, and each year the London winners win a fantastic prize of a trip to the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships – and the London winners will be going again February 2010.

Steve Riley – Director of Will to Win commented:
“Tennis is a great game played all over the world, we want to develop community themed tournament to be a worldwide experience for parks and public centre players. We plan to expand to more major venues for 2009-10 and will develop tennis opportunities for a wider cross section of the population than ever before. It is a fantastic opportunity for younger players from different countries to be brought together via sport.”

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said:
“Will to Win is a great initiative that enables youngsters to compete in tennis tournaments and provides them with opportunities to travel. As owners and organizers of a major tournament, the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, we are happy to be involved with this project which promotes tennis at grassroots level.”

The UK winners went to Dubai in February 2009 as their prize to take part in the ball kid programme at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships 2008 and have coaching with top coaches in a tennis clinic. They also played their first tennis at the tennis centre in Mirdif against UAE players training with the national team with Tennis Emirates.

This is the fourth year of the event, held at the 5 Will to Win public centres in London plus Wimbledon and sponsored by Dubai Duty Free which attracted over 200 participants. The two winners of the 2007 event ‘Ben Cronin’ and ‘Freya Christie’ are pictured below, and were impressed with the development of Dubai tennis and are looking forward to competing again.

The experience has given them an insight as to the requirements of an athlete to get to the top, and develop life skills, confidence and learn about another country and its culture.

The tournament, with the first prize of the trip to Dubai (UK winners) and a trip to London (Dubai, Madrid and New York winner’s) is aimed at youngsters who play at schools, parks and public centres. It provides an opportunity for young people from all backgrounds to participate in an exciting tennis event.

The Lawn Tennis Association in London is fully supportive of the tournament that provides competitive opportunities for community tennis players, the use of community and park sites, which is vital for the growth of tennis and competition for juniors.

At the Barclays Dubai Tennis championships in Dubai, over 150 kids are trained annually- pictured above taking part in the kid’s day- where over 1000 local school children can experience tennis.

The WTW / DDF Grand Prix prize of a trip to Dubai is part of a long term programme where the kids will attend a tennis camp for a week and join in with 150 other local ball kids participate at the ATP or WTA Dubai tournaments.

Email grandprix@willtowin.co.uk for more information on the venues, dates and how to enter for 2009 or call +447957110403.

Will to Win Tennis continues to strive to break down the perceived barriers to tennis participation for all juniors and continues to play a key role in providing ‘tennis opportunities for all’ in all the venues. Prince Sports, the LTA are all supporting the event.

The event is sanctioned by Tennis Emirates- all players requiring membership to participate.

The 1.6 million-square-foot, 57-story Vdara is distinguished by its slender profile and curvature, which respond to Harmon Circle and the interlocking arcs of ARIA Resort & Casino located across the shared circular drive.

Three parallel, offset arcs rising to varying heights comprise the crescent-shaped skyscraper.  The volumes are distinguished by the colors of their striped surfaces, and are further articulated by deep recesses between them.  The horizontally-striped curtain wall frames the vistas of Las Vegas and the expansive desert landscape beyond.  Alternating bands of reflective vision glass and light-diffusing, acid-etched spandrel glass in black and white are set off on different planes to achieve a unique shimmering texture on the façade.  Modern, light, and devoid of graphics or ornaments, Vdara presents a distinctive contrast to the themed buildings of the Las Vegas Strip.

A curved pool deck located over Harmon Circle shelters a generous porte-cochere and main lobby.  The lobby’s focal point is Bar Vdara, a lounge and bar with covered outdoor seating that segues into Silk Road restaurant.  Other amenities include the two-level Vdara Health & Beauty – a full-service wellness spa, salon and fitness center.  Sky Pool & Lounge, the south-facing pool deck which enjoys long hours of sunlight exposure, offers private spa cabanas and semi-secluded plunge pools.  The program also includes a conference center with meeting rooms, a sub-divisible 4,000 square-foot ballroom, a boardroom, and a pre-function/registration area – serviced by Vdara’s kitchen.

Vdara’s 1,495 suites are wide and shallow when compared to most hotel rooms and residential apartments, maximizing views and daylight penetration.  An additional benefit of the staggered three-arc floor plan is the creation of six corner rooms compared to four in a more conventional building.

In keeping with the sustainable focus of the overall CityCenter development, Vdara Hotel & Spa was designed to meet and has achieved LEED Gold certification.  Sustainable features include the use of ecologically friendly construction materials (local and low-VOC) and the use of light-colored surfaces on the pool deck and roof, which reduces the urban heat island effect.  Additionally, construction materials were carefully managed to minimize waste.  Because of the project’s Mojave Desert location, measures to reduce water consumption were used, which include low-flow plumbing fixtures and water-efficient, native landscaping.

About CITYCENTER

The 67-acre CityCenter is located on the Las Vegas Strip and Interstate 15, and is bordered by two other MGM properties: Bellagio to the north and Monte Carlo to the south.  Seeking to build a new resort and lifestyle destination, MGM MIRAGE, with a master plan created by Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects, decided to forgo the typical theme-based resort, instead choosing contemporary architecture and high-density, mixed-use urbanism as the unifying characteristic of the development. Accordingly, it sought internationally renowned architects, each to design one of the six buildings that comprise the overall plan.  Rafael Viñoly was approached by MGM MIRAGE to design Vdara, and after an RFP submission, the commission was awarded to Viñoly and staff from Rafael Viñoly Architects PC, working under the name RV Architecture, LLC.

In addition to Vdara, the final scheme includes ARIA, the resort & casino by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects; Crystals, a retail, dining and entertainment district by Studio Daniel Libeskind;  Veer Towers twinned residential towers, by Helmut Jahn;  Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, a hotel and residences by Kohn Pedersen Fox;  and The Harmon Hotel, designed by Foster + Partners.

CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World.

About Rafael Viñoly Architects

Founded in New York in 1983, Rafael Viñoly Architects has offices in London, Los Angeles and the United Arab Emirates. Internationally known for architectural projects around the globe, the firm has designed many landmark cultural and civic complexes as well as institutional buildings and master plans. Over the past quarter century, the practice has continually demonstrated its ability to reinvent institutional typologies and integrate the public realm into civic buildings.

The unusually diverse work the firm has completed includes award-winning courthouses, museums, performing arts centers, convention centers, athletic facilities, banks, hotels, laboratories, hospitals, recreational venues, residential commissions, and commercial, industrial and educational facilities. Projects range in scale from laboratory casework to urban design and master planning. The firm has also completed several projects involving the restoration and expansion of large-scale buildings of significant historical and architectural value.

The firm’s staff of over 150 design professionals, including architects, structural engineers, interior designers, computer visualization specialists, model makers, artists, and fabricators, has the capacity, structure, and experience to assume complex projects of any scale.

Ahmed Bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai eGovernment, said that this year’s edition will feature four major high-profile platforms of Dubai eGovernment. The first platform will be dedicated to a presentation from the participating government and semi-government agencies on the respective eServices they provide. There are more than 2,000 such services delivered to nationals, residents, visitors and business sector, .

The second platform is dedicated to a presentation on the synergistic (shared) services provided by Dubai eGovernment to government agencies to introduce and promote their shared services through multiple electronic channels. Dubai eGovernment will highlight such services which include ePay, Ask Dubai, eLearning, and the SMS portal mDubai, among others.

The ePay service, which was introduced specifically to facilitate payment of fees for government and semi-government department services, was recently expanded to include the private sector as well.

The unified contact centre AskDubai allows customers to inquire about the eServices provided by government departments and submit their opinions and complaints on the performance of the concerned departments in both Arabic and English. The mobile service mDubai, is used to support communication between customers and the various government departments via SMS. The eLearning service is a portal which provides more than 3,000 online training courses in both Arabic and English.

The third platform, Government Information Internet (GIN), provides the backbone for a high-speed link among 50 government and semi-government departments in Dubai. It is backed by a robust infrastructure which encrypts shared data to ensure safe exchange of information.

The fourth platform, Government Resource Planning System (GRPS), is provided by Dubai eGovernment for government agencies and is commonly used by 26 government departments. This system is used by departments to efficiently manage their internal resources and covers human resources, payroll, procurement and storage and fixed assets.
GRPS provides employees with an opportunity to perform their duties efficiently through compliance with the requirements of the Dubai Government’s Human Resources Management Law No. 27 of 2006. It also serves other human resources systems adopted by Dubai Government, which are in compliance with financial policies adopted by the Finance Department and implemented by Dubai eGovernment across all its departments. Dubai eGovernment intends to intensively streamline GRPS and train government departments on its use. This is in line with Dubai eGovernment’s firm commitment to the objectives of Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 to achieve government excellence.

“We are looking forward to this year’s edition of the exhibition as it is an excellent opportunity for us to gain insights on the latest information technology trends and solutions, work closely and exchange experiences with participating departments, and meet the public so that we can identify their needs. We aim to further develop eServices in the emirate and promote efficiency and excellence, so that we can attain the main goal of creating a knowledge-based economy,” concluded Bin Humaidan.

At GITEX Technology Week 2009, Dubai eGovernment will provide a network of work stations that offer working models of all eServices provided by government departments through its portal, www.dubai.ae .

Among the government and semi-government departments joining Dubai eGovernment in the exhibition are Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Dubai Land Department; Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation; Department of Economic Development; Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Public Prosecution; Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Police; Dubai Courts; Dubai Customs; Dubai Municipality; Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA); Protocol & Guest House Department; Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities; Dubai Statistics Centre; Dubai Civil Defence; Dubai Government Workshop; Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment; Dubai Export Development Corporation; Department of Naturalisation and Residency; Dubai Chamber; Dubai Health Authority (DHA); Dubai Judicial Institute; Centre of Ambulance Services; Dubai Airports, Zakat Fund and Tejari;
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Offering the most definitive platform for the very best young talent on the UAE theatre scene, the Festival, this year, will feature the participation of local theatre groups to produce plays, all of them written, directed and produced by young UAE nationals and residents.

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority has joined hands with Dubai Media Incorporate (DMI) as an exclusive media partner for the festival dedicated to theatre. As part of a long-term programme aimed at encouraging UAE Nationals to pursue theatre and acting, DMI will introduce an award for the best actors, and offer the winners opportunities to work in television, thus opening new growth avenues for the artists by raising their career profile and providing far-reaching media exposure.

This first and only of its kind initiative for the youth in the Emirate, Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre is open to all theatre groups in the UAE. The festival brings together actors, directors, writers and the entire crew of technicians including make-up artists, stage designers, audio-visual specialists, lighting and trussing artists and costume stylists. Part of the festival programme is a series of workshops, led by theatre veterans, on various aspects of producing a play.

Mr. Omar Ghabash, Board Member of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Chairman of the Dubai Festival of Youth Theatre, said that theatre has a defined place in the Gulf’s cultural heritage. “As one of the most powerful artistic expressions, theatre retains its appeal because of its intimacy and visceral quality. Everything happens in real time, making a special emotional connection with the audience.”

He said: “The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority is committed to promoting talented artists in the UAE – especially among the youth – and the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre is a wonderful platform for them to express their creativity. It will set the stage for young talented theatre enthusiasts to take up professional careers.”

The plays on show at the festival will be evaluated by a jury of local dignitaries as well as another committee including representatives from DMI, which will be specifically involved in selecting actors for potential acting careers in television.

Faisal Abdalla, CEO Corporate and Support in Dubai Media Incorporated said: “Dubai has many gifted theatre enthusiasts, many of them working independently and performing to small audiences. This festival brings these talented individuals together and celebrates their potential.”

“Our partnership with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority will further encourage youngsters in theatre, and provide them the opportunity to showcase their talent to a wider audience through careers in broadcasting. Our special committee will evaluate the artists and hope to offer the best UAE National male and female actors a role on television,” Abdalla added.

Previously held during summer, the Festival will now take place each year in November to drive more audience to attend the shows. “The new dates will be a permanent fixture in the calendar of activities of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and gives theatre groups more time to prepare in addition to strengthening audience participation,” explained Ghabash.
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The newest shopping and leisure destination by Emaar Malls Group in the Dubai Marina community has launched several lifestyle stores, many of them marking their first retail outlet in the city. Guess by Marciano, Nolita, Dryberg and DG+ have opened their first stand alone stores in Dubai at the mall. In addition, personal fashion consultation sessions have been introduced to the mall by Stylist Marissa Woods.

Strengthening access to the mall is a new walkway that connects the Dubai Marina Yacht Club with the mall as well as a network of bridges connecting various residential units in and near Dubai Marina. Visitors from the neighbouring Emirates Living communities and Barsha can access the mall through a dedicated tunnel past Exit 32 off Sheikh Zayed Road.

Mr Ian Ferguson, General Manager, Dubai Marina Mall, said: “Dubai Marina Mall is continuously exploring options to make the mall a meeting point for families and friends. The introduction of new access points as well as strengthening our retail and F&B spread now offer the dual benefits of easier access and more retail & leisure choices.”

He added: “Several retailers have opened their first stores in the city at Dubai Marina Mall, highlighting its appeal to the retail trade. Today, we have over 100 stores operating at the mall.”

Apart from Waitrose, the largest grocery store in the community, Dubai Marina Mall has opened Favourite Things Mother & Child, the innovative children’s edu-tainment concept, which offers parents the opportunity to relax, shop and meet friends, or join in with their children’s play activities. A cineplex and waterfront promenade will also open at the mall.

Other retail stores that have recently opened in the mall include; Patrizia Pepe, Cole Haan, Giordano, Follie Folli, Reiss, New Look, Desigual, Juicy Couture, Bebe Sport, Karen Millen and Rocco Barocco in the fashion section; Nike, Stadium and Adidas as sport and lifestyle stores. At the food court, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Yo! Sushi, Café Blanc, Lebanese Restaurant, Assia in Wok, Saj Express, Cinnabon, McDonalds, KFC, India Palace, Subway, Baskin Robins, Pizza Hut and TGI Fridays have opened. Visitors to the food outlets can enjoy spectacular views across the Dubai Marina with the options of both al fresco and indoor dining.

Dubai Marina Mall will continue to introduce new stores and restaurants in the coming months, adding to its appeal as a premier lifestyle destination in the Dubai Marina community. A premier retail and leisure destination, the mall is part of a complex comprising The Address Dubai Marina, opening this year; a 7-storey Gourmet Tower dedicated to diverse cuisine; and Marina Plaza, a commercial tower that has been launched to overwhelming customer response.
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Underscoring Emaar’s development approach of creating integrated lifestyle communities, The Dubai Mall Medical Centre is a value addition to Downtown Burj Dubai, the 500-acre mega-project developed by Emaar Properties. Emaar Healthcare Group will also open two clinics in Arabian Ranches and The Meadows, further establishing the lifestyle appeal of Emaar’s communities in Dubai.

Newly opened in the second floor of The Dubai Mall, the healthcare facility is the largest outpatient facility in the region and leverages the medical expertise of US-based Methodist International, to offer the entire spectrum of specialities.

Mr. Omar Al Shunnar, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Healthcare Group, said the response to The Dubai Mall Medical Centre has been positive and encouraging – both from patients and the medical fraternity in the region.

He said: “Every aspect of the medical centre has been carefully planned – from receiving patients to offering them personalised consultancy and follow-up. The Diagnostic Imaging Centre is the most advanced of its kind and leverages the latest in imaging technology. The consulting suites are designed to relax the patients and are supported by a paperless patient administration through electronic records for ease of access and future referencing.”

In addition to its emphasis on evidence-based medicine and commitment to international best practices, The Dubai Mall Medical Centre offers superior hospitality standards with exceptional customer service and a patient oriented experience.

The Dubai Mall Medical Centre’s Diagnostic Imaging department features the latest technology in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); Computed Tomography (CT); Conventional radiology (X-ray); Ultrasound; Bone densitometry; Mammography; and Fluoroscopy. Constantly monitored for international quality assurance programmes, the medical centre’s Laboratory will play a pivotal role in providing world-class patient care. Services on site include: Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology, Immunology and Serology.

Emaar Healthcare Group is mandated with creating healthcare centres in Emaar’s communities. “We have ambitious plans to take this successful model of healthcare developments in integrated communities to Emaar’s projects in other key global markets,” added Mr Al Shunnar.