Dubai World Cup to be held sans spectators

Due to the ongoing global health implications of the coronavirus and precautionary measures being implemented by the UAE government, the Dubai Racing Club (DRC) have announced that the 2020 running of the Dubai World Cup meeting will be held without general spectators and paid hospitality.

The Dubai World Cup, which is the richest night in horse racing highlighted by the $12 million main event, is the latest sports event in the country to be affected by the Covid-19 virus.

The Dubai Racing Club released a statement late on Thursday evening saying that this year’s Dubai World Cup, will be closed to spectators, with only horse connections, racing officials, accredited media and sponsors permitted entry.

“All supporting Dubai World Cup events, including the Post Position Draw (Wednesday, March 25), Breakfast with the Stars (Thursday, March 26) and Welcome Reception (Thursday, March 26), have been cancelled.

“Race day events, including entertainment, have also been cancelled.

“Only horse connections, racing officials, accredited media and sponsors will be permitted entry,” the club said.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the organisers of the 2020 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge have postponed the event after considering global developments on the Coronavirus scare.

A statement issued by Mohammad Bin Sulayem, President of organisers Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMO), said: “As a result of global developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and rising concerns, we have taken the decision to postpone the 2020 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.”

Sulayem, who is also the FIA Vice President for Sport, further said that the organisers owe to the public and the various stakeholders. “As event organisers, we have a duty to safeguard the health and safety of competitors, support teams, officials, volunteers and all rally enthusiasts. We have been in permanent contact with the government authorities in the UAE and were following all precautionary measures to protect the motor sport community and the wider public,” he said.

“Our intention is to work with the FIA and the FIM, motor sport’s world governing bodies, to identify new dates for the event to take place at a later date,” he added.

Last month, the International Triathlon Union, in consultation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, had postponed the 2020 ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Paratriathlon World Cup and Abu Dhabi Mixed Relay event as a precautionary measure to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

The event was due to take place from March 5 to 7 on Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi, where some cases were reported in the last few days.

Although the Abu Dhabi authorities are working on measures so that the safety of all the athletes, coaches and officials participating in the event is the main concern, due to the new World Health Organisation recommendations and the spread of the virus, ITU and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council have jointly agreed to postpone the event.