The World Sport Summit took over Dubai this week, the two-day event brought together global leader and athletes to explore the future of sport, innovation and fan engagement. Held in line with the Dubai Sports Council’s long-term strategy for the emirate’s sports sector, the summit reflects Dubai’s ambition to cement its position as one of the world’s leading sporting cities by 2033.

On day two of the summit, a panel discussion was held focused on the EuroLeague and the evolution of elite European basketball and its ascent to the region. The session featured Dubai Basketball Chairman and Co-Founder Abdulla Al Nabooda alongside EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejūnas, ASVEL Lyon owner and former NBA and EuroLeague star Tony Parker, FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa and WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike. The discussion explored the league’s global growth, fan engagement and the expanding footprint of European basketball beyond traditional markets.

Al Nabooda’s participation reflected Dubai Basketball’s growing role on the European stage, following the club’s EuroLeague debut this season and its second campaign competing in European basketball. Speaking during the panel, Al Nabooda highlighted the vision behind taking a Dubai-based team into Europe, explaining “The most important thing for us was to break the borders for our team in the Gulf. We are still a part of Asia and creating this team to play a part of Europe was one of the biggest challenges for us.”

“We didnt know where we were going, but every strength was there. We have 177 academies in Dubai and there are tens and thousands of kids playing basketball. We knew these kids want to watch real basketball, so that was an easy marker for us.”

He also emphasised the importance of combining elite competition with fan experience, noting that Dubai Basketball has focused on delivering world-class on-court performance alongside entertainment inspired by global best practice, while investing heavily in grassroots engagement to build lifelong fans from a young age. Saying, “We took [this team] to the schools in Dubai. Building those grassroots, not only to play basketball but to fall in love with the sport. We always targeted the 8–15 year old group because we know if they start coming to our games, they become a fan for life.”

The World Sport Summit and Dubai Basketball share a common vision for the city, creating something ambitious and true to the community for sports fans in the region. As Dubai continues to position itself as a global hub for sport, platforms like the summit and pioneering projects such as Dubai Basketball, are shaping a new era where elite competition and community come together like nowhere else.

Image Source: Emarat Al Youm

-ENDS-

About Dubai Basketball: 

Founded in 2023, Dubai Basketball is a newly established professional basketball franchise that plays in Europe’s EuroLeague and Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League for the 2025/26 season. The franchise has assembled a strong roster of players led by Head Coach Jurica Golemac. The club plays their home games at Coca-Cola Arena.

Dubai Basketball stands as a testament to the power of passion and dedication in shaping the landscape of basketball in the UAE and beyond. Its foundation is built upon a diverse and talented team, consisting of FIBA-certified coaches, former professional players, business experts, and passionate enthusiasts.

Dubai Basketball is committed to catalysing positive social change, where dreams are not just envisioned but realised, talents are not merely found but nurtured, and aspirations are not only lived but fulfilled.

Keep up to date with the latest news on Dubai Basketball by visiting www.dubaibasketball.com or on social media platforms:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dubaibasketballclub
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dubaibasketballclub/
X – https://x.com/dubaibasket
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@DubaiBasketball

Media Enquiries:

David Jover

[email protected]

or

Hanan Mohamed

[email protected]