Following the project of internationalization of the Portuguese Network of High Performance Sports Centres, representatives of the Portuguese Sports Foundation traveled to the United Arab Emirates.

Following the project for the internationalization of the Portuguese Network of High Performance Sports Centres – HIGHSPORTUGAL, Market Access, a company selected by public tender, carried out the activity 3.3 of this project, entitled “International Promotion Actions with the organization of meetings and exploratory talks in the targeted markets, advised by expert consultants to promote the national offer of HPSC”.

The execution of this activity includes actions to promote the Portuguese HPSC in the 10 targeted markets – Germany, Angola, Australia, Brazil, China, the United Arab Emirates, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and Sweden.

Following the exploratory contacts held by Market Access with the Arab market, Paulo Frischknecht, President of the Portuguese Sports Foundation was in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, between 22 and 25 April, 2018, accompanied by consultants João Sardo and Sunil Belani, in order to meet with various sports entities and specialists.

On April 22, 2018, a meeting was held with the Dubai Sports Council in the presence of its President Ahmed Al Mehri and Secretary-General Shaima Malik; Dubai Club for Disabled, represented by Omar Mohd, Director of Marketing and International Relations; UAE Fencing Federation, in the presence of its Administrator Rami Said and the Technical Director, Ala Essa Labib; Dessert Cubs Sports Academy, with Founder, Presley, President, Farah, Chief Operating Officer, Kay Jee and Chief Financial Officer, Anuj.

The next day, April 23, the meetings took place with the Emirates Equestrian Federation, in the presence of Mohamed Refaie, Head of Skills and Training; UAE Wrestling, Judo and Kick Boxing Federation, with its CEO, Nasir Al Tamimi, Chief Financial Officer, Mohd. Noufal and Jassar, Financial Technician; City Golf Club, with Rhian Lobo Manager and Professional Head of Academy, Dave Taylor and Mandara Equestrian Club, with Jamal Ghandour, Director of Skills and Training.

On April 24, representatives of the Portuguese Sports Foundation visited the UAE Cycling Federation, meeting with the Coach, Hassan. The following day, 25 April, it was time to visit Dubai Stars – Sportlex, with the Vice President, Rasna Al Khamis and the UAE Swimming Federation, with its President, Sultan Saif Al Samahi and Financial Technician, Mohamad.

The entities contacted, were not only interested in coming to Portugal to know the High Performance Sports Centres in Portugal, but also in establishing future partnerships, so the presence of the President of the Portuguese Sports Foundation in this mission constituted an added value for the institution, either in the context of this Project activity, or to promote the establishment of strategic agreements.