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LONDON and ABU DHABI, UAE Nov. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and

Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced a groundbreaking multiyear

partnership to host the first NBA games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The

preseason NBA games in Abu Dhabi beginning in 2022 will mark the first games

between two NBA teams in the Arabian Gulf.

NBA – DCT Abu Dhabi Announcement Video: Online version | Social media version

(http://panthercdn.dmsukltd.com/pan3/viewing/dms_prod/nba/104608_abu_dhabi_1x1_l

c_pr.mp4 )

The partnership will see DCT Abu Dhabi, under "Visit Abu Dhabi," the tourism

promotion initiative of the UAE's capital city, serve as the Official Tourism

Destination Partner of the NBA in China, Europe, the Middle East and North

Africa.

Abu Dhabi will host preseason NBA games beginning with two games in October

2022. The participating teams and host venue will be announced at a later date.

Fans can register their interest in receiving more information by visiting

nba.com/abudhabi.

The partnership will also include a variety of interactive fan events featuring

appearances by current and former NBA players, the launch of Jr. NBA Leagues

for boys and girls at schools across the UAE fostering teamwork and inclusion,

a series of NBA Fit Clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League

exhibition event.

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "Today's

announcement further demonstrates the emirate's position as a top-tier home for

global sports and for attracting the very best talent. As Abu Dhabi is

committed to further developing as a dynamic global destination, adding the NBA

to our impressive year-round portfolio of sports and entertainment events, only

reinforces the UAE capital's standing as a centre of sporting excellence. We

look forward to the NBA playing an integral role in developing young talent and

healthy lifestyles at grassroots level - the heart of the UAE's strategy, which

places great emphasis on empowering youth and building a sustainable future for

the nation and future generations."

"As we celebrate the NBA's 75th Anniversary Season, partnering with DCT Abu

Dhabi to bring the first NBA and NBA 2K League games and events to the UAE

marks an important milestone in basketball's continued global growth," said NBA

Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. "Abu Dhabi is a

vibrant multicultural hub with a demonstrated track record of hosting

world-class sporting events, and this partnership will not only bring the live

NBA and NBA 2K League experience to fans in the Middle East, but it will also

create opportunities for boys and girls to learn the fundamentals and core

values of the game through a variety of grassroots programming and fan events."

During the 2021-22 NBA season, NBA games and programming will reach fans in 11

countries across the Middle East.  Fans in the Middle East can access extensive

video highlights, news, stats, scores and original digital content in Arabic on

the NBA's official online [https://www.beinsports.com/nba/ ] destination. Fans

in the region can also watch every NBA game live and on demand on NBA League

Pass, the league's premium live game subscription service.

Abu Dhabi has consistently demonstrated its capabilities in hosting world-class

sporting events. Pioneering initiatives such as DCT Abu Dhabi's "Go Safe

Certification" highlight the city's unwavering commitment to the community and

visitors' health and safety, while enabling it to continue to hold the best of

live sporting events. For more information about Abu Dhabi, please visit:

https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/campaign/time-is-now.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives

the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors, fuels

economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions. By

working in partnership with the organisations that define the Emirate's

position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite

the ecosystem around a shared vision of the Emirate's potential, to

coordinate effort and investment, to deliver innovative solutions, and to use

the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and

tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the Emirate's

people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's

status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences,

represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and

creative thought. 

About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around four professional

sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women's National

Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League.  The NBA and

the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) also jointly operate the

Basketball Africa League (BAL).  The NBA has established a major international

presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories

in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores

in 100 countries on six continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22

season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries.  NBA

Digital's assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The

NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with

2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player

platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by

working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that

support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

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SOURCE: DCT Abu Dhabi and NBA